Colchester United battled to a creditable 1-1 draw at Phil Parkinson's Bradford City this afternoon.

The U's produced an impressive away performance against Chelsea's FA Cup conquerors at Valley Parade, to pick up a precious point in their battle against the drop.

U’s goalkeeper Sam Walker made a decent save in the second minute to deny Jon Stead’s low strike.

But Colchester started brightly and only Rory McArdle’s fine tackle inside his own area prevented Gavin Massey from shooting from a great position.

The U’s went ahead in the fifth minute through Chris Porter, who curled a magnificent shot into the top corner after collecting Tom Lapslie’s pass 20 yards from goal.

It was a superb way for Porter to get off the mark as a Colchester player but the visitors could have had at least two further goals before half-time.

Just four minutes after Colchester had taken the lead, Massey did well to win possession just outside the Bradford area but after advancing into the box he could only shoot wide of the target.

And not long after that, Sammie Szmodics raced through and into the area but was denied by Bradford goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and another great opportunity to score went begging.

The U’s attacking play caused the Bradford defence all sorts of problems early on and they quietened the boisterous home crowd.

Stead’s hopeful first-time effort from 25 yards flew well wide from Pickford’s long kick, as Bradford looked for a route back into the contest.

But although Sean Clohessy made a fine block to deny Billy Knott at the far post late in the first half, Colchester went in at the break ahead.

The contest followed a similar pattern in the second half, with both sides tussling for possession in an open game and the U’s looking a threat on the break.

Colchester almost doubled their lead just after the hour when Pickford made a good save to deny Ben Gordon from point-blank range, following Szmodics’ lay off.

But with 13 minutes remaining, Filipe Morais thumped home an equaliser for Bradford at the far post, from Stead's deep cross.

Bradford put the pressure on after that but Colchester held on to claim a valuable draw.

For five pages of coverage of the U’s game at Bradford City, see Monday’s Daily Gazette.