A stoppage-time own goal by Chesterfield defender Charlie Raglan helped Colchester United claim a share of the spoils with a 3-3 draw following a pulsating encounter at the Proact Stadium.

The U's found themselves trailing 3-1 with 14 minutes remaining against the ten-man Spireites.

But substitute George Moncur got them back into the contest by pulling a goal back and then hit the bar seconds before Charlie Raglan turning into his own net, as Tony Humes' secured a deserved point.

Colchester’s debutant goalkeeper Jamie Jones denied Gboly Ariyibi early on but the U’s started well and skipper Alex Gilbey was denied at point-blank range by Chesterfield shot-stopper Tommy Lee, soon after.

Chesterfield were reduced to ten men after 14 minutes when their right-back Drew Talbot was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Talbot was dismissed after bringing down U’s debutant Marvin Sordell on the edge of the area.

Owen Garvan curled just over the bar from the resultant free-kick but there were plenty of chances at both ends, as the half progressed.

Lee Novak lifted over Jones but also over the crossbar for the hosts before the Spireites took a 23rd-minute lead through Dan Jones, whose free-kick sailed in from the right of the area.

Colchester were only behind for seven minutes, though.

Gavin Massey drilled home their equaliser on the half-hour, from Callum Harriott’s delivery.

Harriot was a big influence for Colchester in the first half, tormenting the home defence with his positivity and trickery.

His deflected effort looped over the bar and the Charlton loanee was even more unfortunate not to score just before half-time when his curled effort hit the inside of a post, as Colchester went in all square at half-time.

The U’s started the second half well and was unlucky not to be ahead five minutes after the interval when Gilbey’s fierce shot rattled the woodwork.

Colchester went close again a minute later when Sordell somehow failed to score from two yards, after some impressive link-up play between Massey and substitute George Moncur.

Colchester started the second half well and were hit the woodwork for the second time in the game when Gilbey’s fierce effort from 20 yards rattled the upright.

Sordell then missed a glorious chance when he missed from two yards with the goal gaping, after a good exchange between Massey and substitute George Moncur in the area.

Garvan’s low effort was well saved by Tommy Lee soon after but Colchester fell behind just after the hour when Lee Novak turned home from close range, after being picked out by Dan Gardner in the area.

Spireites keeper Tommy Lee then pulled off a magnificent one-handed save to deny Sordell’s downward header and then pushed away Harriott’s effort at his near post, as Colchester pushed for another equaliser.

But the U’s fell further behind with 16 minutes remaining when Chesterfield skipper Samy Morsy finished well from Ollie Banks assist.

Colchester responded well to the setback and reduced the deficit again within two minutes through Moncur, who confidently side-footed home after being picked out by Harriott.

There were more chances at both ends after that, with Chesterfield substitute Byron Harrison denied by Jones and Gilbey missing from point blank range.

But Colchester secured a deserved point in stoppage-time when Chesterfield defender Charlie Raglan turned Harriott's cross into his own net, after the U’s midfielder had rattled the crossbar seconds earlier.

It was the very least Colchester deserved, as they battled back to claim a deserved point.

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