Harrogate and Colchester could not be separated as an attritional League Two affair played on a heavy pitch ended goalless.

Neither side could really claim to have done enough to deserve all three points, with clear-cut goalscoring opportunities very much at a premium.

Harrogate had the better of an uneventful first half, Dean Cornelius drilling a 20-yard strike narrowly the wrong side of the upright before James Daly dragged an effort across the face of goal and wide from a similar distance.

Colchester began the second period with greater vigour, though it was the home side who continued to look the more likely, Josh March poking a shot past the post before Bryn Morris’ well-struck free-kick drew a good stop from Matt Macey.

The visitors then threatened through Harry Anderson, who shot into the side-netting, before Fiacre Kelleher headed over the crossbar.

At the other end, Ellis Taylor volleyed wide of Macey’s near post but although the game began to open up as full-time approached, neither side was able to fashion a genuine opportunity to settle matters.