Colchester United played out a 1-1 draw with Port Vale on the opening day of the new League Two season.

Luke Norris's equaliser just before half-time cancelled out Tom Pope's early penalty for the visitors to ensure a share of the spoils, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Here, the Gazette's Colchester United reporter Jonathan Waldron rates the players following the hard-fought draw:

DEAN GERKEN 7

Showed safe hands throughout on U's return and had little chance of saving Pope’s penalty.

KANE VINCENT-YOUNG 7

Embarked on several weaving runs and largely defended well having switched to right-back.

TOM EASTMAN 8

U’s man of the match. Dealt brilliantly will Pope’s threat; capped a fine display with a superb challenge inside his own area.

LUKE PROSSER 7

U’s skipper provided vital assist for Norris goal to atone for his error in the build-up to Vale earning a penalty.

COHEN BRAMALL 7

U’s new boy seemed to enjoy his tussle with the experienced Worrall and linked up really well with Nouble.

TOM LAPSLIE 8

Conceded the penalty that led to Pope opener but was impressive after that and made several excellent tackles.

HARRY PELL 7

U’s midfielder looked sharp and lasted 75 minutes after starting his first competitive league game in nearly six months.

FRANK NOUBLE 8

An eye-catching display; gave Vale right-back Gibbons a torrid time throughout and was twice denied by Brown.

JEVANI BROWN 7

Had a big hand in creating Norris goal on his full U’s debut and was always positive in his attacking play.

COURTNEY SENIOR 7

Experienced a rather mixed afternoon but played his part in the equaliser and showed some flashes of real skill

LUKE NORRIS 7

Was in the right place at the right time for his goal and led the line well for the U’s in the number nine role.

SUBSTITUTES

LUKE GAMBIN (for Brown, 70) 

U’s debutant looked sharp in the final 20 minutes on what was his 200th career appearance.

BEN STEVENSON (for Pell, 75) 

Made a couple of crucial midfield challenges in the time he spent on the pitch after coming on for Pell.

ANDRE HASANALLY (for Senior, 82) 

Almost grabbed a late winner for the U’s after 17-year-old made his first-ever U’s senior appearance off the bench.

SUBSTITUTES (NOT USED): Sowunmi, Kensdale, Chilvers, Ross.