Colchester United's U23s have shared the points with Charlton Athletic, drawing 1-1 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
After a first half that produced plenty of chances but no goals, the second period saw less goalmouth action but a goal for each of the two sides.
There were only twelve minutes remaining when a left wing cross found Charlton full back Aaron Barnes at the far post - his header looped agonisingly over U's keeper Daniel Wilks to give the Addicks the lead.
Wilks couldn't do much about that opener, but prevented the visitors going further ahead when he got to the ball just ahead of a forward in a one on one situation, keeping the U's within one goal of their more experienced opponents.
That proved to be crucial, because on eighty-nine minutes the U's scored an equaliser through Charley Edge, but much credit should go to sub Dean Ager for his run down the left.
He beat a number of Charlton defenders before putting the ball into the danger area, where it eventually fell to Edge, who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.
U's: Wilks, Wilson, Brown, Kensdale, Will Wright, Ward, Edge, Issa, Sheriff (Ager 68), McKeown (Jones 75), Allarahkia.
Unused subs: Kurasik, Sturgess