Adrian Boothroyd saw Colchester earn a 0-0 draw in his first game in charge, despite the U's playing 55 minutes at Southampton with 10 men.

The away side settled and looked to be troubling Southampton until Kem Izzet lunged in on Adam Lallana and sent him flying with a scything challenge in the 35th minute, earning a red card and a mocking chorus of goodbyes from the home fans.

Colchester had two golden chances on the stroke of half-time to take an ill-deserved lead, but the rest of the game was dominated by wave after wave of Southampton attacks.

But despite midfielder Dean Hammond brushing the crossbar and defender Neal Trotman spurning a free header from six yards, Saints, who are still looking for their first win, never threatened to claim a winner and were subject to a crescendo of boos at the final whistle.