SAMMIE Szmodics popped up with a last-gasp equaliser as Colchester United rescued a deserved point from this afternoon’s 1-1 draw at Mansfield Town.

The well-drilled U’s had looked on course for an unfortunate defeat after conceding nine minutes from time at The One Call Stadium.

Craig Davies lashed an unstoppable effort into the net and it looked like the visitors were heading for their first defeat of the season.

However, deep into stoppage time, Ryan Jackson hurled a throw into the box and it was inexplicably missed by keeper Conrad Logan.

Szmodics pounced to turn home the loose ball from close range.

It was a thoroughly deserved equaliser for John McGreal’s men, who had shown their fight and battling qualities to keep the hosts at bay for so long.

It was therefore no surprise that it took a moment of genius – rather than slick open play – to finally penetrate their defence.

Davies picked up the ball on the left and after his initial shot was blocked, he lashed the follow-up high into the net – past the despairing hands of keeper Dillon Barnes.

The U’s keeper looked to get something on the shot and may feel he could have done better, but it was a venomous effort from the substitute.

It was undoubtedly harsh on the U’s but they stuck to their guns and rescued a point right at the very death thanks to that man Szmodics.

Colchester had made five changes from the side that bowed out of the Carabao Cup at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday – albeit on penalties – and reverted to the same side that defeated Port Vale 2-0 last Saturday.

Tom Lapslie operated in a deep midfield role, screening the back four of Jackson, Frankie Kent, Luke Prosser and Kane Vincent-Young, and behind the midfield quartet of Courtney Senior, Harry Pell, Szmodics and Brennan Dickenson.

Frank Nouble once again led the line up front.

Colchester were hoping to build on their encouraging start to the league campaign – drawing at Notts County before seeing off Vale – but knew they had a sizeable task on their hands against hosts who had also taken four points and also put six goals past hapless Accrington Stanley in the cup on Tuesday.

The signs looked encouraging at half-time after a first period devoid of genuine chances.

There was only one of note and that fell to Colchester, when Dickenson’s corner was met by Prosser at the far post – only for the skipper’s powerful header to be clawed away by keeper Logan.

Mansfield, for their part, created little, apart from a couple of sojourns down the right late in the half.

While they were hardly firing, much of the credit has to go to Colchester’s well-drilled back four, marshalled superbly by Prosser.

To the U’s credit, the second half followed a similar pattern.

Mansfield started with real purpose and their vociferous supporters turned up the volume after a couple of breaks, including a corner.

But Colchester stuck to their guns and, on this evidence, are going to be a tough nut to crack this season.

If anything, they went closest again when Vincent-Young won a free-kick on the left, just outside the box, and Dickenson’s inviting free-kick was desperately turned behind by Stags skipper Krystian Pearce.

Davies’ late strike looked like it might be all-important but Szmodics had the last laugh and Colchester will hope for more of the same when they welcome Crewe Alexandra to the JobServe Community Stadium on Tuesday.