Danny Cowley felt his Colchester players gave it everything after they missed out on a Sky Bet League Two play-off spot following a goalless draw with Barrow.
The U’s had to beat the Bluebirds and hope three results elsewhere went their way to extend their season but were unable to break down the visitors, who finished the game with 10 men after substitute Kyle Cameron’s dismissal.
The closest Colchester came to scoring a winner came late on when Tyreece Simpson’s effort rattled a post but home goalkeeper Matt Macey also made a vital save from Barrow substitute Chris Popov in stoppage time.
Colchester boss Cowley said: “I think today probably epitomises where we’re at.
“There was a moment probably in the 87th minute when we had chance after chance after chance but we just can’t break them down and find that all-important first goal.
“Matt Macey makes a save in stoppage time to help him keep his 21st clean sheet of the season, the team’s 21st clean sheet of the season which I’m told is a club record and obviously allows him to win the Golden Glove award.
“The way that we’ve defended as a team has built the foundations that we’ve made and probably just at the end, we ran out of a couple of key players.
“We finished 10th in the division and the supporters celebrate like this – I think they saw a group of players who not just today but all season have just given their all.
“They’ve played with real pride.”
Barrow boss Andy Whing was proud of his players’ efforts as they extended their unbeaten run to seven matches.
But he was disappointed with Cameron’s 76th-minute red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity after he was adjudged to have fouled Colchester substitute Kyreece Lisbie.
Whing said: “We were OK in the first half but we started the second half really well.
“The sending-off changed the game a little bit and created some impetus for them.
“For some reason, I think the ref gave everything against us this afternoon – I thought he was really poor in the second half.
“He’s the type of referee who I do really like but I thought he had an absolute stinker in the second half, especially the sending-off.
“We’ve watched it back and Kyle gets there first and tries to pass it back to Wyll (Stanway).
“But then after that on the break we still had chances and Chris Popov at the end was so unlucky not to get us three points but I’m immensely proud of them.
“The lads put their bodies on the line to keep the unbeaten run going and I’m really pleased and proud of them.”
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