New signing Sean Murray was sent off on his debut after Kurtis Guthrie's tenth goal of the season secured Colchester United a point at Blackpool following a 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Road.

Murray, who had come on as a second-half substitute for Craig Slater, was red-carded in stoppage-time for a foul on Jim McAlister, which resulted in the Tangerines' centre-back being stretchered off with a suspected broken leg.

Colchester finished the game with only nine men, after Tom Eastman had hobbled off just before Murray's dismissal and they had used all of their substitutes.

Guthrie had earlier pounced to score from close range in the 18th minute to cancel out Jamille Matt's opener, scored six minutes earlier.

Guthrie also hit the crossbar late in the first half, as the spoils were shared between two sides who probably felt they both needed a win as they chase the teams above them in the League Two play-off places.

U's head coach John McGreal made two changes to his starting line-up for their game at Blackpool.

Owen Garvan recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of their 3-0 defeat at Exeter City, while Matt Briggs made his first start of the season and his first appearance for nine months for the U’s, at left wing-back.

Drey Wright dropped out after undergoing hernia surgery, while Brennan Dickenson also missed out.

Colchester’s latest new signings Murray, Dean Brill and Rekeil Pyke were all on the bench.

Colchester fell behind in the 12th minute when former Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso was afforded too much time and space on the U’s left to deliver a curling attempted low cross which Matt tapped in on the goal-line.

Delfouneso’s long-range effort was easily saved from just under his crossbar by Sam Walker soon after and the U’s goalkeeper also gobbled up Matt’s strike, as Blackpool went on the hunt for a second.

But Colchester warmed to the task after that and after Briggs’ fine effort was tipped over the bar spectacularly by Sam Slocombe, they were back on level terms from the resultant corner.

After both George Elokobi and Chris Porter had come close to scoring, Guthrie made no mistake from close range to score his tenth goal of the season and elevate himself to being the club’s leading goalscorer.

Blackpool responded well to the equaliser, with Brad Potts and Neil Danns becoming increasingly influential in midfield.

Slocombe saved Porter’s close-range effort while at the other end, Potts volleyed over from eight yards following Jim McAlister’s dangerous ball into the area.

McAlister then advanced towards goal and fired in a fierce low shot that Walker gobbled up but Colchester finished the half strongly.

Briggs' header from Richard Brindley's deep cross well saved by Slocombe at his near post, before Craig Slater's volley dropped inches wide from the edge of the area after a mix-up in the Blackpool defence had given him a chance to shoot.

Colchester came even closer to taking a lead in at half-time seconds before the break when Slocombe made a fantastic reflex save to deny Elokobi from close range following a corner and then Guthrie headed against the crossbar from two yards, as the teams went in at half-time on level terms.

Delfouneso's strike flashed just past the post for Blackpool early in the second half after good play by Jordan Flores had set him up in the area.

But Colchester went close again on the hour when Elokobi's low left-foot first-time drive fizzed wide after Porter had knocked down Owen Garvan's inswinging free-kick.

Colchester sent new signing Murray on for Slater midway through the second half in a bid to force a winner.

But the U's had a big let off with 15 minutes remaining when former Colchester defender Tom Aldred inexplicably headed wide when unmarked at the far post, following Flores' corner.

However, despite Eastman going off injured and Murray's red card, the U's secured a hard-earned point.