DANNY Cowley says he is encouraged by the togetherness his Colchester United side showed in battling back to claim a 2-2 comeback draw at Swindon Town.

The new U’s head coach saw his team fight back from a two-goal deficit to secure a deserved point at the County Ground, in his first game in charge.

Bradley Ihionvien’s goal deep into stoppage-time rescued a share of the spoils for Colchester, ended a three-match losing run.

And Cowley says the spirit the U’s showed in earning the draw bodes well for the second half of the season, as they bid to move away from the League Two relegation zone.

READ MORE: Five talking points from Colchester United's draw at Swindon

Cowley said: “My teams go to the end – we never give up.

“We fight all the way and you can’t beat the man that never gives up.

“I liked what I saw.

“Was it perfect technically and tactically? No but did I see enough determination, enough resilience and fight and togetherness? Yes and that’s something for us to work with.

“They’re the bits that are hard to give to the players.

“The technical and tactical bit can be ironed out and now, we have a good week.

Gazette:

“Listen, it’s only a point and I’m not getting too excited but if I’m honest, it feels more than a point and I think it definitely gives us something to build on.”

Cowley was particularly impressed with his side’s second-half performance at Swindon.

Colchester had gone in at half-time 2-1 down but improved after the break and got their reward with their late equaliser and the U’s boss was particularly pleased with Noah Chilvers’ enterprise.

“Credit to the players,” said Cowley, who took over as Colchester’s head coach last Thursday alongside his brother, Nicky.

READ MORE: Colchester United supporters have their say on Swindon draw

“Nicky spoke a lot at half-time about in possession and sometimes, it’s about personality.

“Noah Chilvers, technical player.

“First half, when the team’s not playing well with the ball and has no rhythm, he was the only one who really took the ball and wanted the ball.

“He was brave and wanted to make things happen.

“In the second half, there were so many.

“I can see Noah and Ellis (Iandolo) on that side; that looks like something we can work with.

Gazette:

“We worked hard at half-time to try to get the sixes, our holding midfielders more available because they connect the game; this is what it is.

“The players worked really hard in the first half and I’m not the guy who comes in at half-time and says well done for working hard; that’s kind of a pre-requisite, absolutely.

“You fight and work and run for the team, for the badge, for the shirt and for one another.”