Late, late show for Darren

DARREN Currie today talked of the frustration that caused him to miss the first half of last night's enthralling 1-1 Championship draw with Leeds United at Portman Road.

The Witham-based midfielder was forced to sit out the opening 45 minutes after arriving at the ground just two minutes before kick-off.

“I had a bet with myself in the car that I would stay calm,” said Currie. “But I lost!”

He left home at his normal time for home evening matches but got caught up in traffic with the A12 being closed for most of the afternoon after an accident.

This caused chaos, with Currie explaining: “It normally takes me 35 minutes. Last night it took nearly two and three quarter hours.

“Club official Wolfe Powell telephoned just as I left the house to tell me about the road problems.

“I must have gone 20 miles virtually in the wrong direction - but everybody else was doing the same and it was bumper to bumper.

“Eventually I got on the A12 two junctions up from where I normally join - and I have to admit I then put my foot down.

“From Colchester to the ground took me 35 minutes so you can see how long I had been held up.

“The players were lining up in the tunnel as I went rushing in to get changed.

“I am a stickler for punctuality as my wife will confirm, and this made it even worse to handle as I sat for what seemed like hours with the clock ticking down closer to kick-off time.”

Currie came on at the re-start after warming up at the interval, and like the rest of his team mates he was gutted by the late penalty decision.

Currie said: “Three points would have put us into the top half of the table and given us a perfect platform for the Norwich game on Sunday.

“Having seen the incident on television, Jason (De Vos) did handle the ball, but he was fouled by a Leeds player who virtually bowled him over.

“From the way we were playing I had a feeling that Shane (Supple) was going to save the spot kick, but it was not to be.

“But we can take positives out of the game with all of the kids playing brilliantly.”

Supple, who made a number of first-class saves, said: “I was always going to dive to my left for the penalty. I am sure David Healy was going to shoot that way, but I think he made a late change.”