COLCHESTER United came from behind to rescue a hard-earned point at The One Call Stadium on Saturday.

In truth, it was exactly what they deserved – a share of the spoils – and anything less would have been hard and unjust on John McGreal’s men.

It continued their encouraging, unbeaten start to the League Two campaign and they will be hopeful of putting more points on the board when they welcome Crewe and then Northampton to the JobServe Community Stadium on Tuesday and Saturday respectively.

THEY NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY’RE BEATEN

THE U’s appear to be made of stern stuff this season.

As Sammie Szmodics remarked in his post-match interviews, they probably would have lost this game last term. It’s unlikely they would have had the character and resolve to equalise, after the body-blow of going behind late on.

Let’s face it – a lot of sides will go to Mansfield and finish empty-handed this season. The Stags are a strong side with a vociferous support.

But Colchester stuck to their game-plan, battled on and got their rewards in the last few seconds. It was a magical moment.

A WELL-OILED MACHINE

ONE of the reasons this side can prosper is their defensive solidity.

Luke Prosser is a man-mountain and Frankie Kent barely put a foot wrong alongside him in the heart of the defence. With two full-backs who defend well but love to roam forward, McGreal appears to have a winning formula.

Mansfield barely had a genuine chance in the game until their goal and that speaks volumes for the way they were shackled and kept in check.

MIDFIELD WARHORSE

TOM Lapslie was regarded as a major injury doubt when McGreal spoke to the media at Florence Park on Thursday lunchtime. It was only after seeing a specialist that evening that he was given the all-clear to play.

Boy, how good that he was available. Lapslie sat deep, just in front of the defence, and got through so much good work.

Some of it may get overlooked but he will certainly be missed, if and when there are occasions when he can’t play this season. He’s a real diamond.

BRAVE TACTICS

JOHN McGreal had faith in his players and always knew they had it in them to snatch an equaliser.

After going behind, a lesser manager might have conceded defeat. Instead, McGreal changed his tactics, put an extra man in midfield and played two up front, with Luke Norris operating alongside Mika Mandron.

Szmodics played in the ten role and it was no surprise that the ploy paid off, with the extra bodies in the box causing chaos and, ultimately, leading to the equaliser.

HOME, SWEET HOME

IT’S been a tough week of travelling for the U’s, with Saturday’s trip coming just four days after their midweek Carabao Cup exit at Cheltenham Town.

They’ve certainly clocked up some miles, but now face the welcome prospect of back-to-back home games. They’ll be looking to keep the momentum going and six points, ideally, would obviously represent as astonishingly strong start to the season.