Issa goal secures a point.
Colchester United got their U23s fixtures off to a good start on Monday evening, as they drew 1-1 away to Hull City.
The match saw Owen Garvan get an important 65 minutes under his belt on his return from injury, as the Irishman provided the experience in Wayne Brown's first competitive game in charge of the development squad.
The two teams traded chances through the first half, with Charley Edge and Tariq Issa both having opportunities for the Essex side.
However, the U's fell behind not long after half time as Frankie Kent was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box and the penalty was tucked away by Bowen past Dillon Barnes.
The home side were on top at this juncture and the U's kept their shape as they tried to stay in the game and give themselves a chance of taking something back to north Essex.
And they finished strongly, as they got an equaliser five minutes from time.
Decarrey Sheriff was denied by a good stop from Hull keeper Mannion, but Issa was on hand to sweep home to give the U's a share of the spoils.
U's: Barnes, Ocran, Wyatt, Garvan (Diaz Wright 64), Peter, Kent, Brown, Allen (James 77), Sheriff, Issa, Edge
Subs not used: Williams, Regis, O'Donoghue