A late equaliser from Curtis Weston denied Colchester United victory at Barnet this afternoon.

The U's had to settle for a 1-1 draw, having led for the vast majority of the game thanks to winger Tarique Fosu's early strike.

It looked like Colchester might secure back-to-back wins in League Two but Curtis Weston's low strike secured Barnet a point, which they deserved for their second-half display.

Colchester made two changes to their starting line-up for their first-ever appearance at The Hive.

Craig Slater was handed a start in place of the injured Tom Lapslie in central midfield, while loanee Fosu was rewarded for his impressive showing as a second-half substitute against Blackpool last weekend with his first start for the U’s.

Lewis Kinsella dropped to the bench as a result, with Brennan Dickenson playing at left-back when he finished against Blackpool.

Femi Akinwande, who has been in good goalscoring form for Colchester’s under-23 side, was among the substitutes at The Hive.

Colchester made a bright start and Kurtis Guthrie’s low shot from a tight angle was easily saved by Barnet goalkeeper Josh Vickers, inside two minutes.

And the U’s went ahead in the sixth minute through Fosu, who fired clinically low past Vickers for his first goal for the club after Drey Wright had picked him out on the edge of the area.

Sammie Szmodics came close to adding to the U’s lead seconds after with a shot that flashed just wide, as the visitors exerted their dominance on proceedings early on.

But only a fine tackle by Brennan Dickenson in the area prevented Shaun Batt from scoring what looked a certain tenth-minute equaliser for Barnet, after the lofty forward had escaped Luke Prosser’s attentions in the U’’s half.

However, Colchester looked the better side in possession and Fosu came close to doubling his and his side’s account on the half hour with a free-kick that was tipped over by Vickers.

Both teams made substitutions shortly after that, with former U’s loanee Jamal Campbell-Ryce on for Alex Nicholls for Barnet and Glen Kamara replacing Szmodics for the U’s.

Barnet seemed to adjust better to the chances and finished the first half the stronger of the two sides.

Batt’s close-range header landed straight at Colchester goalkeeper Sam Walker after John Akinde had caused problems in the area.

And Batt squandered a great chance to equalise for the Bees just before the break when he headed substitute Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s cross over from four yards, when he should have scored.

But Colchester went in at half-time ahead and almost made it 2-0 eight minutes into the second half when Wright’s fine curled effort following a swift counter-attack forced keeper Vickers to dive to his left and push the ball away for a corner.

Barnet striker John Akinde headed wide at the far post after Campbell-Ryce had delivered an accurate cross, as the Bees grew in confidence.

Luke Gambin's strike from outside the area headed off his own goal-line by U's skipper Luke Prosser and away for a corner before Barnet finally levelled with eight minutes remaining when Curtis Weston converted from close range as Colchester had to be content with a point.

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