Colchester United remain five points adrift of safety in League One after drawing 1-1 with Fleetwood Town tonight.

Fleetwood had the first good goalscoring chance of the night after 16 minutes.

After Jamie Proctor had delivered a fine ball into the area, Bobby Grant controlled well in the area but fired wastefully over the bar from a good position.

Alex Gilbey’s hopeful 25-yard strike flew over the bar after Gavin Massey had done well to set him up, midway through the first half.

The lively Grant went close again for Fleetwood when his long-range effort flashed just wide of the post.

But just when it looked as though the first half was passing them by, the U’s made a vital breakthrough seven minutes before half-time.

Fleetwood’s Eggert Jonsson sloppily conceded possession midway inside his own half allowing Gilbey to collect the ball, advance towards goal and confidently plant a low shot past keeper Chris Maxwell and into the net for his first goal since the opening day of the season.

Buoyed by the goal, Colchester started the second half well and almost doubled their lead in the minutes that followed the interval.

Gilbey’s first-time effort sailed straight at Maxwell after the Cod Army keeper had punched the ball to the midfielder’s feet while Owen Garvan drove a shot straight at the visitors’ shot-stopper soon after, as the U’s went in search of a second goal.

But just when it looked like they might go further behind, Fleetwood equalised.

After Colchester had failed to clear Jamie Proctor's ball into the area, Jonsson atoned for his earlier error to lash a powerful shot past Kean and into the far top corner of the net.

Colchester responded well to the setback and captain Chris Porter almost restored the hosts' lead when his low shot was saved by the legs of Maxwell and substitute Drey Wright grazed a post with a low shot, as the hosts pushed for a winner.

Forward duo Macauley Bonne and Elliot Lee were both sent on in the closing stages as the U's went for a winner.

But Fleetwood's Nick Haughton curled a shot inches wide of the far post for the visitors with five minutes remaining.

And although Maxwell pushed Gilbey's fine volley over late on, the U's had to be content with a point.

For coverage of the U's game against Fleetwood, including a report and pictures, see Wednesday's Daily Gazette.