Colchester United were held to a point by bottom side Sutton United at Gander Green Lane.
The U’s made a bright start with Cameron McGeehan putting his side ahead after seven minutes, with the hosts equalizing before half time.
The second half was more even affair, although the hosts missed a good chance to take all three points. Owen Goodman came up with a penalty save to deny Harry Smith from twelve yards in the last ten minutes of the game.
Collecting a point, the U’s will now travel to Salford City on Tuesday evening.
Danny Cowley made one change to the starting eleven from last weekend’s draw with Accrington Stanley at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Arthur Read had recovered from the calf injury that had seen him sit out the last couple of games to reclaim his place in midfield. He took the place of Tom Hopper who was sat amongst the substitutes.
There was also a welcome return for Manny Egbo, named in a squad for the first time since picking up an injury against MK Dons on Boxing Day. Conor Wilkinson and Owura Edwards both missed out on the eighteen through injury.
The hosts looked to make a fast start in the game, with former U’s man Craig Eastmond blazing over a good chance within the opening thirty seconds.
But it was Colchester United who made the early breakthrough, with Cameron McGeehan on target in the sixth minute. Steve Arnold had already been called into action to deny Arthur Read’s effort after Jayden Fevrier had tried to break quickly, but the ‘keeper could do nothing about McGeehan’s opener.
Noah Chilvers squared the ball to John Akinde – the powerful striker mis-hit his effort straight into the path of the arriving Northern Irishman to stroke home from close range, sending the travelling contingent wild behind the goal.
And Colchester United were inches away from a second eight minutes later when Arthur Read was floored just outside the penalty area. He stepped up to take the free kick and was only denied by the woodwork, with Arnold flat-footed in goal.
Two minutes later, the hosts were level. It appeared that Arthur Read was fouled in the build-up, but play continued with Charlie Lakin finishing off a scrappy move after the U’s had failed to clear their lines.
Goalscorer McGeehan was fouled twice in quick succession to bring out the first yellow card of the afternoon. Craig Eastmond was the culprit after half an hour, with Jayden Richardson booked soon after for a foul on Adom-Malaki.
The hosts’ goal put the wind in their sails as they became the dominant team for the remainder of the half. Ben Goodliffe narrowly headed wide before Riley Harbottle was called into action with a goal-line clearance to deny Harry Smith’s lob of Owen Goodman.
Cam McGeehan thought he had put the U’s ahead in the second minute of stoppage time, but an offside call from the officials denied Colchester before half time. The scores remained level at the break.
There were no changes at the break from either side, as the home team continued to pepper Owen Goodman’s goal. Craig Clay had the best chance to start the half – he was unmarked at the back post from a corner, but scuffed his effort wide of the upright.
Just after the hour mark, the U’s made their first changes of the afternoon. Manny Egbo and Tom Hopper were brought on as straight swaps for Jayden Richardson and John Akinde. The hosts made their own changes a couple of minutes later with Duke-McKenna and Sanderson on for Clay and Coley.
Following the changes, there were a couple of quickfire chances for Danny Cowley’s side. Noah Chilvers was in plenty of space on the far side, but was quickly closed down by Sam Hart with the Sutton man getting a good block on his shot.
And Steve Arnold was called into action to push Arthur Read’s free kick over the crossbar. Read looked like he was crossing, and it looked as though there might have been a deflection on the way through, but Arnold was alert to push the ball over and away.
At the other end, the hosts were awarded a penalty for a harsh looking handball on the counter attack. But Owen Goodman stepped up to make a big save and deny Harry Smith from twelve yards to keep the scores level with ten minutes to play.
Danny Cowley soon made another change, with Matt Jay brought on for Jayden Fevrier, who looked like he had picked up a knock from an earlier challenge.
The U’s kept pressing for a late winner, bringing Jay Mingi on for Cameron McGeehan in stoppage time, but would have to settle for a point in South London.
The point keeps the U’s in twenty-first, with a trip to Salford City coming up on Tuesday evening.
Sutton United starting XI: Arnold, Jackson, Kizzi, Goodliffe, Hart, Eastmond, Adom-Malaki, Clay (Duke-McKenna 69’), Lakin, Coley (Sanderson 69’), H. Smith.
Subs: Roberts, Sanderson, Taylor, Sowunmi, Angol, Duke-McKenna, Moore.
Colchester United starting XI: Goodman, Iandolo, Hall, Chilvers, McGeehan (Mingi 90’), Read, Harbottle, Akinde (Hopper 64’), Richardson (Egbo 64’), A. Smith, Fevrier (Jay 83’).
Subs: Hornby, Dallison, Jay, Hopper, Egbo, Mingi, Ihinovien.
Attendance: 3,472 (780)
