Colchester United

U's striker Chris Porter had scored a first half brace, as he scored either side of a Tom Barkhuizen goal for the visitors.  

Barkhuizen had earlier missed a penalty for Morecambe but was on hand to make up for the error with a chipped finish inside the box. 

Morecambe found an equaliser towards the latter stages of the second half to take a point away from the Weston Homes Community Stadium, as the U's hunt for a win goes on.

The opening minutes of the game looked to be much more positive for Colchester in comparison to their last home game. Denny Johnstone had a shot from the edge of the box parried away by Barry Roche, but the hosts didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal.

Kane Vincent-Young was played into space on the right hand side by Sammie Szmodics and his cross was perfect for Porter to meet on the volley and give the U's a 1-0 lead.

Despite the positive start, Morecambe found themselves with a great chance to draw level after just 16 minutes as Alex Wynter was judged to have brought down Barkhuizen inside the box.

Barkhuizen picked himself up to take the penalty but was denied by Sam Walker as he saved with his legs and the ball was cleared to safety.

Colchester then had a great chance to double their advantage as Alex Wynter looked to have a free header from a free kick but the ball deflected just over the bar after some great defending.

Then Morecambe did find the equaliser, Barkhuizen made up for his mistake as he seized on a defensive mistake to slot home. 

The ball found its way through the legs of U's centre back Eastman from a firm Szmodics pass and Barkhuizen raced through before applying a delicate finish over Walker to make it 1-1.

This goal seemed to unsettle the U's and they had to try and build momentum going forward once again. 

On 38 minutes, it was the turn of the host to be awarded a penalty as Kevin Ellison charged down a shot from Richard Brindley with his hands. 

It was frantic 30 seconds as moments before the award of the spot kick Drey Wright had an effort inside the box saved superbly by Roche. Morecambe were unable to clear their lines and the penalty shortly followed.

Porter looked composed from 12 yards out as he comfortably rolled the ball into the bottom right corner to give Colchester the lead for the second time in the match.

The U's could have added to their lead on the stroke of half time as Eastman beat the offside trap but his shot went just wide. This meant the U's took a well deserved lead into half time.

Colchester struggled to find the same momentum in the second half, but the half was largely free of incident at the other end too.

Morecambe's eventual equaliser came from a free kick. Lee Molineux tried his luck from distance and it looked to be a comfortable save for Walker but the ball slipped through his hands and into the net. 

It was only then that Colchester began to create chances in front of goal once again. Their best chance falling to Kurtis Guthrie as he acrobatically tried to convert Tarique Fosu's cross but the ball went just wide.

Craig Slater then had a shot dip just over the bar before Fosu had a low shot from the angle go just wide.

Another game in which Colchester will be left to rue giving away the lead having been in a good position. If  the U's can cut out these small mistakes they should get back to winning ways and push up the table soon.

This was Colchester final chance of the game as they were unable to find a winner.