COLCHESTER United surrendered a two-goal lead to play out a 2-2 draw at Grimsby Town tonight.

The U's looked like they were on their way to a first League Two win of the season, after first-half goals from Frank Nouble and Luke Norris sent them on their way, at Blundell Park.

But James Hanson converted a penalty for the Mariners in the opening minutes of the second half and Matt Green lashed home an 87th-minute equaliser for the hosts, to deny Colchester a first victory at the venue since September, 1979.

Colchester head coach McGreal stuck with the same starting line-up that featured against Cambridge United, with left-back Ryan Clampin passed fit despite limping out of that contest with an ankle knock.

But Tom Lapslie, Harry Pell and Paris Cowan-Hall all missed out through injury once again, while Cohen Bramall was suspended.

Jevani Brown started in a left-sided role for the U’s, with Nouble playing centrally.

Grimsby started the brighter of the two sides and went close in the eighth minute when goalkeeper Dean Gerken got down well to save, after Moses Ogbu had prodded towards goal from Sebastian Ring’s cross into the six-yard box.

The Mariners went close again a few minutes later when Luke Waterfall headed Jake Hessenthaler’s deep corner into the side netting at the far post and the contest entered into a somewhat scrappy stage, after that.

The experienced Hanson began to make his presence felt as the half wore on and Grimsby won several headers in and around the U’s box.

But Colchester warmed to the task and took a 25th-minute lead thanks to a wonder strike from Nouble.

After Luke Norris had charged down an attempted clearance and after being fed by Senior, Nouble unleashed a wonderful left foot shot that flew into the net like a rocket from the edge of the area.

The U’s survived a penalty appeal moments later after Ben Stevenson appeared to handle the ball in the area.

But Colchester’s confidence grew after their goal and they almost doubled their lead seven minutes before the break when Norris was denied brilliantly by Grimsby keeper James McKeown after Ryan Jackson's deflected cross had reached the six yard box.

And in the second minute of first-half stoppage-time, the U’s did find the net again.

Nouble was involved again, supplying the cross for Norris to convert from two yards for his third of the season.

It put Colchester in a strong position at the break, prompting Grimsby boss Michael Jolley to send his players out early for the second half.

It seemed to do the trick, as little more than two minutes after the interval the hosts were back in it.

After Jackson had fouled Ogbu in the area, Hanson converted the resultant penalty to halve the U’s advantage.

Colchester tried hard to settle after that, although they received a bit of a let off when Ogbu drove at the U's defence and unleashed a low strike that Gerken got down well to save.

The visitors almost restored their two-goal lead midway through the second half when McKeown got down well to prevent Tom Eastman’s header from Brown’s corner from crossing the line.

Grimsby pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages and it came with three minutes remaining when Green lashed home a fine shot, after the U's had failed to clear a Hessenthaler free-kick.

Colchester United: Gerken, Jackson, Eastman, Prosser, Clampin, Comley, Stevenson, Senior (sub Gambin, 82), Nouble, Brown, Norris (sub Sowunmi, 86).

Substitutes (not used): Kensdale, James, Chilvers, Hasanally, Ross.

Grimsby Town: McKeown, Hendrie, Davis, Waterfall, Ring, Hewitt (sub Cook, 82), Whitehouse (sub Wright, 76), Hessenthaler, Green, Ogbu (sub Vernam, 68), Hanson.

Substitutes (not used): Cardwell, Russell, Pollock, Clifton.

Goals: Colchester: Nouble (25), Norris (45+1). Grimsby: Hanson (48), Green (87).

Grimsby bookings: Hewitt (foul, 10), Davis (foul, 67).

Colchester bookings: Comley (foul, 90).

U's man of the match: Brandon Comley.

Referee: Robert Lewis (Shrewsbury).

Attendance: 4,103 (144 U’s fans).