A STOPPAGE-TIME equaliser from Ethan Coleman denied Colchester United a precious victory after they drew 2-2 with Leyton Orient.

Goals from Myles Kenlock and Owura Edwards had given the U’s a precious victory at a rain-sodden JobServe Community Stadium, following Ruel Sotiriou’s opener but Coleman stuck in the third minute of time added on, as the spoils were shared.

Colchester made two changes to their side for the Orient game.

Myles Kenlock and leading scorer Freddie Sears were recalled to the starting line-up for Tommy Smith and John Akinde.

Colchester started brightly and went close early on when Sears got on the end of Myles Kenlock’s pass and fired in a shot which Orient defender George Ray deflected over his own bar for a corner.

But Orient had a strong penalty appeal turned down when the lively Ruel Sotiriou tumbled under goalkeeper Shamal George’s challenge in the area.

The visitors felt they should have been awarded a spot-kick but Sotiriou was booked for simulation.

Sotiriou then ran at the Colchester defence before unleashing a low 25-yard strike that flashed past the near post.

But Colchester went close just before half-time through substitute Emyr Huws, whose first-time effort from the edge of the area fled just wide after Alan Judge’s corner had only been half cleared.

The sides went in goal-less at the break but the U’s started the second half.

They almost took the lead five minutes after the break when O’s keeper Lawrence Vigouroux made a fine stop at his near post to deny Sears and then the follow up by Huws.

Harry Smith hooked a decent chance over for the visitors, just before the hour mark.

And Colchester fell behind in the 66th minute when Sotirioiu cracked home a ferocious shot from the edge of the area, after Coleman had pounced on George’s poor clearance.

But the U’s equalised nine minutes later when Myles Kenlock stooped to head home from close range from Judge’s corner.

And Owura Edwards prodded home after John Akinde had nodded down Judge’s free-kick, to turn it around.

But Coleman netted late on, to frustrate the U’s.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Coxe, Chambers, Dallison, Kenlock, Skuse (sub Huws, 24), Chilvers, Hannant (sub Akinde, 67), Judge, Edwards (sub Tchamadeu, 87), Sears.

Subs (not used): Smith, Wright, Andrews, Hornby.

U’s man of the match: Noah Chilvers.

Leyton Orient: Vigouroux, Wood, Thompson (sub Tanga, 89), Sotiriou, Young (sub Young, 67), Coleman, Pratley, Beckles, Ray, Khan (sub Kyprianou, 55), Smith. Subs (not used): Moss, Ogie, Obiero, Byrne.

Referee: Neil Hair.

Bookings: Colchester: Chilvers (foul, 37). Leyton Orient: Sotiriou (simulation, 11), Young (foul, 42), Smith (foul, 78).

Goals: Colchester: Kenlock (75), Edwards (79). Leyton Orient: Sotiriou (66), Coleman (90).

Attendance: 3,415 (923 O’s fans)