Colchester United were forced to share the points with Crewe in this evening’s Professional Development League match.
The U’s led for a long period in the game after Brad Ihionvien’s well-taken strike towards the end of the first half.
But they couldn’t hold on with Crewe bagging an equaliser four minutes from the time, meaning it would be a point apiece for the U21s sides.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors, with Ty Webster forcing a good save out of Tedaldi in the U’s goal. The home ‘keeper managed to get down well and push the ball around the post, but it wouldn’t have counted after a late flag from the assistant.
But the U’s quickly created their own chance at the other end of the field. Eight minutes were on the clock when Kaan Bennett’s lofted pass found Donell Thomas; the attacker was denied by the goalkeeper, with Ihionvien follow up blocked on the line, and Thorn’s final effort pushed out for a corner.
Liam Bailey’s side kept the pressure on and had another chance after quarter of an hour. Ryan Lowe’s lofted pass was flicked neatly into the path of Bennett by Ihionvien. But the pacey attacker couldn’t keep his effort down as he fired over the crossbar.
U’s defender Benny Bioletti was booked inside the opening twenty minutes for a foul on Calum Agius on the right flank; he would have to be careful for the remainder of the match.
But the hosts continued to attack and nearly found the opener as the Crewe ‘keeper was called into action twice in quick succession.
The first was to deny Brad Ihionvien’s rising effort after a quick break from Oscar Thorn. And the recent arrival from Norwich had the second attempt, cutting in from the right flank, but his effort was punched away at a good height for Tom Booth on the half hour mark.
The pressure would pay off however, as six minutes later, Brad Ihionvien netted the opener. Oscar Thorn’s cross was expertly controlled by the U’s number nine, who turned and shot low beyond the ‘keeper to give his side the advantage.
And Ihionvien’s goal would prove to be the difference between the two sides until the break.
Neither side made a change at half time, but the visitors didn’t wait long before introducing fresh legs. Bhatti and Allport joined the action for Nolan and Washington in the fifty-fifth minute.
And a few minutes later the U’s made their first change, with Jaiden Drakes-Thomas replaced by Kacy Parish.
Bailey’s side were still pushing for another goal, and nearly found it when Thorn was played through by Kennedy. The midfielder’s weighted ball was perfect for Thorn’s run, as the ‘keeper rushed out to get a deflection and push the shot out for a corner.
A change followed for the visitors, with Agius replaced by Crolla for the final twenty minutes of action.
Further chances followed for Colchester with Tedaldi relatively untroubled in the U’s goal, as Bennett and Thorn looked to double the advantage for their side. But the threat remained as Crewe continued to put the pressure on for an equaliser.
With just over ten minutes to play, Lion Bello was replaced by Freddie Price in a defensive swap for the U’s.
But the home side weren’t able to hold on to their advantage when, with four minutes to play, Crewe struck an equaliser. Zak Kempster-Down was the man on target, shooting low into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area.
A change followed immediately as Kai Redgrave was introduced in place of Oscar Thorn.
But neither side was able to bag a winner in stoppage time as the points were shared in the Professional Development League encounter.
Colchester United starting XI: Tedaldi, Bioletti, Bello, Kennedy, Palmer-Brown, Lowe, Thorn, Drakes-Thomas, Ihionvien, Thomas, Bennett.
Subs: Chamberlain, Parish, Redgrave, Price, Joliffe.
Crewe Alexandra starting XI: Booth, Kempster-Down, Lawton, Nolan, Billington, Washington, Webster, Lunt, Woodcock, Holicek, Agius.
Subs: Bhatti, Flint, Crolla, Allport, Parry.