COLCHESTER United boss Steve Ball praised his side’s character after they twice battled back to secure a 2-2 draw with Mansfield Town this afternoon.

Goals from Callum Harriott and Frank Nouble secured a point for the U’s against the in-form Stags, who led twice at the JobServe Community Stadium thanks a Tommy Smith own goal and a James Perch strike.

Colchester have now gone 11 matches without a win in League Two but boss Ball was pleased to see his side claim a point, having twice been behind.

He said: “It was a shame we conceded the goals that we did but it’s a really good sign of our character in the group for us to come back.

“I thought if there was any team that was going to win it after Frank’s equaliser it was us and we were in the ascendency in the last four or five minutes.

“There were goalmouth scrambles and we might have nicked it but it was a really good show of character to come back and get a point.”

Nouble scored a superb goal to rescue a point for Colchester, in the 89th minute.

The former West Ham United youngster slammed a shot into the far corner of the net from a tight angle from Aramide Oteh’s assist, to score on his first home appearance since returning to the U’s on loan from Plymouth Argyle.

“It was a fantastic goal from Frank,” said Ball.

“It was good play and a great assist from Reme (Oteh) from Ryan Clampin who played a part in it, so the subs did a really good job there.

“It was a top drawer finish and that’s why we brought Frank back for moments of magic like that – it was just a shame it wasn’t the winner.”