COLCHESTER UNITED 1

CHARLTON ATHLETIC 1

Under-23 Professional Development League Two

A LATE equaliser from Charley Edge helped Colchester United's under-23s rescue a deserved draw against Charlton Athletic, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, writes Brian Waller.

Edge drove a low shot home in the 90th minute following good play by substitute Dean Ager to secure a share of the spoils for Wayne Brown's side.

It was a match of very few genuine chances as the U’s did well against opponents who contained a good number of players with first-team experience, including former U's favourite Johnnie Jackson.

Colchester keeper Dan Wilks denied Recco Hackett-Fairchild early on and blocked Karlan Ahearne-Grant's effort with his legs soon after, as Charlton pressed.

Colchester had a penalty appeal turned down when George Brown went down under a challenge after a great run into the box.

And just before the interval, Addicks keeper Dillon Phillips tipped Eoin McKeown's header away to safety following Edge's free-kick into the box.

Charlton started the second half well and Ahearne-Grant bent his shot wide of the far post, while Hackett-Fairchild dragged his shot wide of the far post.

But the visitors were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men after defender Jo Cummings appeared to blatantly kick out at Edge.

Ahearne-Grant lifted a shot over the bar when he should have done much better while keeper Phillips bravely dived at the feet of McKeown, as both sides pushed to break the deadlock.

Hackett-Fairchild headed narrowly wide at the back post, before Charlton went ahead with 11 minutes remaining.

After Ahearne-Grant had crossed from the right, Aaron Barnes sent his header down into the ground and over Wilks' head.

Wilks made a brave save at the feet of Ahearne-Grant but soon after Ager had driven a shot just over the bar, Edge popped up to claim a draw for Colchester.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Dan Wilks, George Brown, Will Wright, Ollie Kensdale, J J Wilson, Tarryn Allarakhia, Charley Edge, Sam Warde, Decarrey Sheriff, Tariq Issa, Eoin McKeown. Substitutes: Dean Ager, Callum Jones, Callum Sturgess, Dominic Kurasik.