Colchester and East Essex skipper Ben Stephens admits he was content with a draw against fellow promotion-chasers Hadleigh and Thundersley.

The league leaders’ advantage at the top has been cut to ten points, with three games of the division one season remaining.

But Colchester at least prevented their visitors from gaining ground on them and are 36 points clear of third-placed Hutton, after the spoils were shared at Castle Park.

Stephens said: “We wanted to win - but we also didn’t want to lose under any circumstances.

“They wanted to get the 25 points and it was important that we stopped them from doing that.

“I don’t think that was being negative and we were trying to get the win.

“We didn’t have our full-strength team out but we’re still top.”

For more on this story, see Wednesday's Daily Gazette.