Colchester moved into the Sky Bet League Two play-off places following a 0-0 draw at home to 10-man Crewe.

However, Danny Cowley’s side missed a golden opportunity to claim a vital victory at the JobServe Community Stadium after Arthur Read’s 87th-minute penalty was saved by goalkeeper Filip Marschall.

Kane Hemmings’ effort from the edge of the area was saved by Colchester goalkeeper Matt Macey before Crewe were reduced to 10 men in first-half stoppage time when Owen Lunt was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Colchester skipper Tom Flanagan on the halfway line.

Colchester dominated the second half with Oscar Thorn’s long-range effort pushed away by Marschall and substitute Jamie Knight-Lebel making a vital block from near his own goal-line to deny Owura Edwards, while Marschall saved substitute Teddy Bishop’s curled effort.

Colchester had a great chance to score a late winner when Knight-Lebel handled in the box and a penalty was awarded but Read’s spot-kick was saved by Marschall and the hosts were left to rue a missed opportunity.