Colchester United started the new League Two with a creditable and hard-fought 0-0 draw at promotion favourites Notts County, at Meadow Lane.

The U's were well worth their point and might have snatched victory in the second half when defender Tom Eastman's fine strike rattled the crossbar.

Colchester head coach John McGreal handed debuts to summer signings Harry Pell, Frank Nouble and Aaron Collins in their curtain-raiser at Notts County.

Mikael Mandron had to be content with a place on the bench, while Kane Vincent-Young did not feature in the 18 at all.

Summer signings Luke Norris and Ethan Ross were also among the substitutes, at Meadow Lane.

Colchester more than matched Notts County in the opening 45 minutes and arguably looked more threatening than their much-fancied hosts.

However, the U’s almost fell behind in the fourth minute when goalkeeper Dillon Barnes palmed Enzio Boldewijn's low shot around the post for a corner.

Nevertheless, Colchester looked lively in attack so far and got in behind the home defence on more than one occasion.

The U’s felt they should have had a penalty when Frankie Kent’s goalbound header from Collins’ corner appeared to strike Shaun Brisley’s arm in the area but referee Seb Stockbridge waved away the visitors’ appeals.

Colchester came close to taking the lead midway through the first half when Nouble’s glanced header from Ryan Jackson's dinked ball into the area flashed just wide of the far post.

McGreal’s side got themselves into some great attacking positions but the quality of their final ball more often than not eluded them.

Colchester went in level at the break but skipper Luke Prosser had to be at his best to make a last-ditch challenge to deny Kane Hemmings in the area, in the opening seconds that followed half-time.

But the hosts received a let off soon after when keeper Fitzsimons appeared to handle the ball outside of his area, after Jackson had sent Nouble through on goal.

Colchester almost fell behind midway through the second half when a brilliant piece of skill from Nathan Thomas saw him control beautifully before trying his luck with a fine lobbed effort from the edge of the area that Barnes did well to palm over for a corner.

But the U's went close at the other end soon after when Collins slipped at the vital moment when unmarked in the area, after Szmodics had capitalised on Fitzsimons’ poor clearance and picked his team-mate out.

And Colchester came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining through Tom Eastman, whose delightful curled effort from 20 yards rattled the bar following his one-two with Collins.

But the U's had to settle for a point, which will give boss McGreal and his players plenty of encouragement for the weeks ahead.