Colchester shared the spoils with hosts Upminster after drawing 3-3, in the East Men's League division one encounter.

They were not at their best and their hosts took advantage to take an early lead.

A cross from the right deflected off an attacker’s stick and flew in off a post, giving keeper Aaron Sime no chance.

Colchester composed themselves after that and began to play some better hockey.

They equalised when Matt Brown showed great composure to score, after Mark Prince had a shot saved after driving into the D.

Colchester then took the lead before half-time, from their only penalty corner of the match.

Brown collected the ball and drew a stick tackle in the D and from the resultant corner, Vince Moore fired a low drag-flick into the bottom corner.

Colchester went in ahead at half-time but some silly errors and too many risky passes allowed Upminster to get back into the game.

A mis-placed pass allowed Upminster to restore parity.

The hosts broke quickly and after a shot had hit Richard Sexton on the body the umpire awarded a penalty flick, which was dispatched to make it 2-2.

The contest ebbed and flowed and Colchester came close to scoring when Brown’s effort hit the post and trickled agonisingly across the goal-line.

The visitors eventually restored their lead through Rohan Khaira, who showed great composure to round the keeper and fire in after good work by Moore and Ellisons Solicitors man-of-the-match, Mark Prince.

But Upminster again restored parity when they scored from another penalty corner to make it 3-3 and make for a nervous finale.

Colchester could have snatched all three points late on but Dean Campbell’s close-range effort was saved by the Upminster keeper.

Colchester play host to leaders Old Southendian at the Garrison ground, this Saturday.

Colchester’s second eleven were beaten 5-1 at home to Redbridge and Ilford, in division three south east.

And the club’s third eleven were also on the wrong end of a heavy scoreline, after losing 8-0 at Wapping V.

There was better news for Colchester’s fourth eleven though, as they beat Chelmsford V 6-0 to register their second win of the season.