Colchester and East Essex will head into the final weekend of the Shepherd Neame Essex League season with their fate in their own hands after moving out of the relegation zone.

Jake Foley’s side drew with Shenfield to pick up 13 crucial points in their battle to avoid the drop in the first XI premier division, with one game remaining.

Colchester lie five points clear of the drop zone, ahead of their vital final game of the season at promotion-chasing Chelmsford this Saturday.

They are now in the driving seat to stay up, after fellow strugglers Southend on Sea lost at Ilford.

After the start at Shenfield was delayed by an hour, the match was reduced to 103 overs.

And after Colchester posted 186 to pick up six valuable batting points, Shenfield held on at the end to claim a draw after finishing on 176 for nine.

Foley said: “It was an exciting match and we came out of it with a good outcome.

“With the late start, it enabled us to keep an eye on the Southend game and that was an added incentive for us.

“We knew what was at stake and everyone was up for it.

“We knew that we needed to reach 150 to get the extra batting points.

“It was clear that the points for a draw would be vital and we knew that we didn’t want to lose the game.

“It was a bit disappointing not to get the full 25 points but we were happy with the outcome in the end and it was still a very good result for us and moved us out of the relegation zone.”

Opener Joe MacGregor top-scored for Colchester with 71, with the likes of Simon Fernandes (29) and Josh Rymell (23) also contributing to the 186 total.

“It was a really good knock by Joe and he stayed calm and patient to get the runs,” said Foley.

“Everyone chipped in to get the 186, even those who didn’t get so many runs brought some stability which was needed in the situation.”

Ben Allison (3-37) and Ollie Bocking (3-56) helped Colchester restrict Shenfield to 176 for nine, with the visitors only narrowly missing out on victory.

Foley added: “We only had a few overs to get the last wicket but in the end, it just proved elusive.

“Shenfield said ‘enough is enough’ and managed to see it out for a draw.

“Our bowling has been pretty good throughout the season and it was a good bowling performance against Shenfield, one that suggests we shouldn’t be in the league position we’re in.”

Colchester II (211-7) beat Shenfield II (210-6 declared) by three wickets, in the second XI premier division.