A fine goal by leading goalscorer Freddie Sears helped Colchester United claim a point in a 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe United this afternoon.

The U’s claimed a share of the spoils at Glanford Park, after Sears’ superb strike just after the half hour cancelled out Rory Fallon’s opener for the Iron.

David Fox went close in the opening minutes for Colchester when his crisp strike from the edge of the area flew into the arms of goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik.

Colchester came even closer to scoring in the 16th minute through Sears, whose effort from five yards came back off the underside of the crossbar after a devastating counter-attack from the visitors resulted in Gavin Massey delivering a pinpoint cross.

But the U's found themselves behind four minutes later when Fallon planted an effort past goalkeeper Sam Walker from Gary McSheffrey's free-kick, after Frankie Kent had been adjudged to have tripped Jennison Myrie-Williams on the edge of the area.

Paddy Madden spurned a glorious chance to double the Iron's lead with only Walker to beat when he fired over after being picked out by McSheffrey inside the area.

But Colchester were back on level terms just after the half hour through Sears, who planted a fine shot past Ikejnik from the edge of the area after a great exchange of passes with Fox.

The second half was a rather cagey affair, with little in the way of goalmouth opportunities for either side after the break.

Madden's shot on the turn sailed straight into the arms of Walker with 20 minutes to go and then felt he should have had a penalty when he went down under Frankie Kent's challenge in the area.

But the U's missed a gilt-edged chance with ten minutes remaining when George Moncur inexplicably blasted over the bar from six yards after being picked out by Gavin Massey in the area.

Substitute Rhys Healey came agonisingly close to winning it for the U's when his shot hit the outside of the far post following a swift Colchester counter-attack, as honours finished even.

For six pages of U's coverage and a report, pictures and analysis of the U's game at Scunthorpe, see Monday's Daily Gazette.