FREDDIE Sears' eighth goal of the season rescued Colchester United a hard-fought point against Newport County tonight.

The U's had trailed to Dom Telford's excellent first-half strike in an absorbing League Two clash, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

But Sears' well-taken goal with 12 minutes remaining earned Colchester a point.

Colchester boss Hayden Mullins made one change to his starting line-up, with Cameron Coxe recalled at right-back in place of Junior Tchamadeu who dropped to the bench.

The U’s were looking to make a bright start after their excellent midweek win over Exeter and almost took an 11th-minute lead through Armando Dobra, who collected Coxe’s short pass and ran into the area before unleashing a low shot that flashed inches past the far post.

The U’s had a penalty shout rejected soon after when Coxe tumbled under Ryan Haynes’ challenge just inside the area but the referee waved play on.

But Newport grew in stature as the first half wore on and began to look dangerous.

Colchester goalkeeper Jake Turner, so impressive against Exeter, made an excellent double save in the 20th minute to deny both Oli Cooper and Courtney Baker-Richardson from close range, after Finn Azaz had pounced on Cole Skuse’s mis-placed pass in midfield and threaded the ball into the U’s area.

Then five minutes later, the U’s on-loan Newcastle United keeper dived to his right to push away Ryan Haynes' 25-yard free-kick, as the visitors pressed.

Newport finally went ahead in the 36th minute and it was no real surprise that it was League Two’s leading scorer who found the target.

After being picked out by James Clarke on the edge of the U’s half, Dom Telford planted a superb curled effort into the corner of the net from the edge of the area after Dobra had been dispossessed inside his own half.

Colchester looked to find a way back into the contest before the break and Noah Chilvers’ low 25-yard drive forced Newport keeper Joe Day to make his first meaningful save of the match, just before half-time.

But the U’s went in at the interval trailing and they almost fell further behind in the 57th minute when the lively Telford collected possession 25 yards from goal before attempting a fine shot that rattled a post and came back out.

Colchester made their first change soon after, with Alan Judge sent on in midfield in place of Sylvester Jasper as they looked to find an equaliser.

Newport continued to look dangerous and Turner made a smart stop at his near post to deny Baker-Richardson.

But Colchester were back on level terms with 12 minutes remaining when Judge sprung the Newport offside trap and leading scorer Sears calmly lifted the ball past the advancing keeper day and into the net.

Both sides tried to grab a late winner after that, but the points were shared.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Turner, Coxe, Chambers, Smith, Daniels, Skuse, Chilvers, Hannant (sub Eastman, 90), Dobra (sub McCoulsky, 75), Jasper (sub Judge, 61), Sears.

Subs (not used): Welch-Hayes, Tchamadeu, Nouble, Gerken.

U’s man of the match: Jake Turner.

Newport County: Day, Norman, Haynes, Clarke, Wilmott, Cooper, Demetriou, Azaz, Bennett, Baker-Richardson, Telford.

Subs (not used): Lewis, Abraham, Collins, Ellison, Cain, Townsend, Fisher.

Referee: Christopher Pollard.

Bookings: Colchester: Chilvers (foul, 20). Newport: Clarke (foul, 29), Cooper (foul, 74).

Sending-off: None.

Goals: Colchester: Sears (78). Newport: Telford (36).

Attendance: 2,401 (83 Newport fans).