Alan Knill admitted he 'feared the worst' when Scunthorpe United were left to face Colchester United with 10 men.

But the Iron boss was delighted with a positive response from his team which saw them go close to snatching a winner against the U's.

Instead, Knill was left to reflect on a 1-1 draw which saw a goal and a red card for striker Bobby Grant.

"It's difficult because we played with 10 men for 45 minutes, but I have to say, I think it's two points dropped," said the Scunthorpe manager.

"I thought even when we had 10 men they didn't really cause us too many problems.

"It was just a lapse in concentration to give them the goal.

"I'm pretty delighted because I thought we were excellent.

"I've watched Colchester previously and coming into the game they were probably the best team I've seen. But I thought we coped with them quite well and looked quite dangerous.

"Going to 10 men you always fear the worst, but I thought even with 10 men we were quite dangerous.

"I thought we passed the ball well and tried to get our full-backs to go forward. It kind of evened the game up really.

"There's always disappointment that we haven't won but I thought we did enough to win.

"I think it's a point gained because no-one would have fancied us with 10 men with 45 minutes to go."

Grant's dismissal came two minutes before half-time when he was booked for a second time after letting his temperament get the better of him following Magnus Okuonghae's challenge on Jimmy Ryan.

"It was disappointing, and Bobby knows that," said Knill.

"You just don't get involved. If you're already on a yellow, just walk away.

"I didn't actually see what the first incident was. I know Jimmy went in with their big centre-half and there was a bit of a melee, and then Bobby must have done something.

"He's in a really good vein of form and so you want to stay in the team for as long as possible, but now he obviously misses Sheffield United next week."