NOAH Chilvers' deflected equaliser rescued Colchester United a point in their basement battle with Oldham Athletic this afternoon.

Chilvers' shot flew in off Jordan Clarke in the opening minutes of the second half to earn the U's a point in their crucial League Two clash with fellow relegation strugglers the Latics, after Davis Keillor-Dunn had given the visitors a first-half lead.

It was not the win Colchester were looking for or hoping for but they will be pleased to have rescued a point having been behind, after an improved second-half display.

The draw leaves the U's two points above the relegation zone, after results elsewhere.

Colchester made four changes to their starting line-up for the game against Oldham.

Shamal George returned for his first start since January 29 and Tom Dallison, Luke Hannant and Alan Judge were also recalled.

Colchester made a bright start and Alan Judge’s low weak effort was straight at goalkeeper Danny Rogers, after John Akinde and Cameron Coxe had linked up well in the final third to set him up.

The U’s went even closer in the 15th minute through Noah Chilvers' left-foot strike from the edge of the area, which whistled inches past the far post.

But Oldham fired a warning a minute later when the unmarked Davis Keillor-Dunn wastefully headed wide from six yards, following Nicky Adams' ball into the box.

And the U’s fell behind in the 19th minute when Keillor-Dunn swept home from two yards, after Carl Piergianni had headed Adams' free-kick into his path.

It was an open contest after that but the end product was just not there for Colchester.

The U’s produced some creative play on the edge of the area but nothing in the area to concern Oldham.

Indeed, the Latics almost doubled their lead just before the break when Hallam Hope squandered a gilt-edged chance, shooting inches wide with only George to beat after Christopher Missilou’s threaded pass had beaten the U's offside trap.

Colchester went in trailing at the break and Brown made changes at half-time, bringing on leading scorer Sears for Akinde.

And they did not have to wait long before getting back into the match.

With the second half six minutes old, Chilvers teased the Oldham defence before cutting back and curling a deflected shot into the far corner of the net from a tight angle, to equalise.

The U's upped the tempo after that and looked the more likely of the two sides to score next.

Oldham keeper Danny Rogers made a fine reflex save to push over Hannant's snap shot for a corner, midway through the second half.

And later in the half, Latics defender Harrison McGahey stopped Sears' goalbound effort from near his own goal-line while Judge's effort from the edge of the area flew just past the near post, as the U's pressed.

At the other end, George made a good save to hold onto Adams' first time effort but the spoils were shared.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Coxe, Chambers, Smith, Dallison (sub Kenlock, 87), Skuse, Chilvers, Hannant (sub Wright, 73), Judge, Edwards, Akinde (sub Sears, 46).

Subs (not used): Tchamadeu, Huws, Wiredu, Hornby.

U’s man of the match: Noah Chilvers.

Oldham Athletic: Rogers, Piergianni, Adams, Hart, McGahey, Whelan (sub Hunt, 72), Keillor-Dunn, Clarke, Stobbs (sub Odaybeyi, 67), Missilou, Hope (sub Vaughan, 83).

Subs (not used): Diarra, Hopcutt, Couto, Leutwiler.

Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne and Wear)

Bookings: Colchester: Sears (foul, 90). Oldham: Stobbs (foul, 24).

Goals: Colchester: Chilvers (52). Oldham: Keillor-Dunn (19).

Attendance: 2,983 (462 Oldham fans).