COLCHESTER United head coach Wayne Brown admits his side were given a 'tough test' in their friendly at Ebbsfleet United this afternoon.

But the U's boss felt there were plenty of positives from his side to take from their 2-2 draw with their National League South hosts, at the Kuflink Stadium.

Noah Chilvers gave Colchester a first-half lead and although Rakish Bingham scored either side of half-time for the hosts, Freddie Sears' fine finish rescued a draw for the visitors.

The game completed the U's pre-season programme, with their League Two season getting underway at Northampton Town, next Saturday.

Brown said: "The idea was for it to be competitive and that's why we organise the fixtures like we do.

"Location-wise it was good and it wasn't a million miles away and they just missed out on promotion into the National League by seconds in a game, last year.

"It was always going to be a tough fixture and that's why we arranged it.

"Apart from it being a tough test, I thought there were some real positives to come out of the game.

"You want to organise fixtures where questions are asked of your team, of individuals and units.

"That was the case again today and you don't want a fixture where the lads don't have to work hard, they don't have to go and press as units, as a collective to get success.

Gazette:

"We knew the way that Ebbsfleet play - they had lots of success at it, this year and it was going to be no different in this game.

"That's why we organised the fixture.

"What pleased me today were the opportunities that we scored off a high press, when we all went together.

"We should be scoring six goals and that's no exaggeration because they were were six clearcut chances.

"It's that ruthless nature in the final third but that will come and we'll need to take those really good habits into the game next week, against Northampton."

Colchester carved out a hatful of chances once again but were forced to come from behind to claim a draw.

"We're building a squad that's going to compete this year - that's the plan," said Brown.

"We found ourselves 2-1 down but we found a way to take something out of the game.

"The results aren't imperative at this stage but from next week, they do become imperative.

Gazette:

"It's a good habit to have, to battle back in games because things aren't always going to go your way.

"You're not always going to play great football or create loads of chances.

"But what you need to do is stay in games in football and find a way to try and get something out of games, which is what we did against Southend and again today."

Colchester will be disappointed with the two goals they conceded, against Ebbsfleet.

Bingham's first came from a set-piece routine by the hosts, while the same player was afforded too much space and time to score a second, after the break.

Brown added: "Every goal is avoidable.

"To concede from a set play is really poor and it's just roles and responsibilities - somebody knocking off.

"That can happen but we don't want it happening too much.

"If you looked at our record from set plays last year both for and against, it was one of our strongest points.

"We need to get back to that ruthless nature in both boxes and ultimately, that gives you the chance to get something out of games."