The U’s boss felt his depleted side created the better opportunities but could not find the breakthrough, as their wait for a victory continued.

Colchester also had a goal disallowed, while Jack Tucker hit the woodwork and Oscar Thorn and Moses Sesay were among those to threaten.

Despite the frustration of not securing all three points, Cowley was proud of how his players responded following another difficult week, where they suffered fresh injuries to key duo Jack Payne and Harry Anderson to add to the likes of Kylian Kouassi, Sean Raggett and Teddy Bishop being sidelined.

“We’re proud of the efforts of the boys, this week,” said Cowley.

“With the amount that’s gone against us with lots of injuries, it would be easy for us to feel sorry for ourselves.

“All I’ve seen is a group that worked really hard, really committed to their training and prepared really diligently and then tried as hard as they could, in the game.

“I thought we created the game’s best chances and we’re disappointed with the goal that got disallowed.

Battle - Colchester United's Beryly Lubala in action against Exeter City (Image: Richard Blaxall)

“You’re guessing, because you can’t tell, so I don’t know how he makes that decision.

“Jack Tucker hits the woodwork, Oscar has a chance, we have a couple of chances with Moses.

“Where we are with lots of injuries and with one home game in five, we need one of those to go in.

“It’s just not quite happening for us at the moment.

“We just have to keep working.”

While Colchester could not make their opportunities count, Cowley was encouraged by another solid defensive display.

Goalkeeper Tim Lo-Tutala was given relatively little to do, with Tucker and Frankie Terry impressing in front of him as the hosts recorded a clean sheet.

Cowley said: “A clean sheet is a positive and we gave them very little.

“In the moment that we’re in, we have to try to see the positives.

“We knew that Exeter were well organised and well drilled against the ball.

“We did our very best to try to find a goal.

“We always thought that the first goal would be important in this game.

Close - Colchester United captain Jack Tucker sees his close-range effort hit the underside of the crossbar (Image: Richard Blaxall)

“Tim is a top, top goalkeeper and he hasn’t had much to do all season for us.

“We defended really well.

“There was some good play which probably just lacked the technical execution and decision making, in the final third.

“When we were at speed, we didn’t quite execute in those moments.”

Cowley singled out Paul Digby for particular praise after the midfielder collected the man-of-the-match award.

“I thought Paul Digby was terrific, a well-deserved man of the match award,” he said.

“He ran really hard and played with a huge amount of passion, with his leadership on the pitch.

“I thought Tucks and Frankie Terry did well, Ellis is always consistent, Bez Lubala looks like he’s getting better with every game, Moses has ridiculous talent.

“There were a lot of others who worked hard around that.”

Cowley also thanked the home supporters for staying behind his side, during a challenging spell.

“I thought the support was really good again today,” he added.

Leap - Colchester United duo Frankie Terry and Ellis Iandolo rise for a header against Exeter City (Image: Richard Blaxall)

“They understand the moment we’re in and we just have to keep going.”

It was Colchester's third straight home draw in the league and Cowley acknowledged that stalemates have become a recurring feature during his time with the club.

“I think if you look at League Two, all the games are tight,” he said.

“That’s just what the league is.

“I think I’ve drawn more games at Colchester United than I probably have in my whole career put together before that.

“That has just been where we’re at and you’ve got to remember, before we were here, maybe Colchester United lose those games.

“We have to try and improve and get better, which in every year we have.

“What’s going to be hard for us now is to make the big improvements we did in year one and year two, that’s ultimately our challenge.”