COLCHESTER United's under-18s completed their league season with a 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic, writes BRIAN WALLER.

For their final league match of the Professional Development League campaign, the Southern Division runners-ups travelled to play Wigan Athletic at Christopher Park.

It was the hosts who took the lead after 17 minutes when an intended but loose pass by keeper Endurance Johnson was intercepted and Kyle Worsley was able to capitalise.

They went close again through Joe Adams who was denied by a full-length save after Levi Welsh's initial effort effort was pushed out to him.

As the U’s tried to hit back, a Ryan Lowe (pictured below) curled free-kick was superbly tipped over the bar by home keeper Tom Watson and then Jaiden Drakes-Thomas did well to block Sam Owens’ near post attempt as he got on the end of Welsh’s corner.

Just after the half hour mark, Kai Redgrave’s shot was pushed away and when Samson Tovide cut back inside, he was denied too.

However the U's did get back on level terms six minutes before the break through defender Namory Kane.

After a corner was cleared out to Drakes-Thomas, his shot was then hooked off the line by Hughes.

It was all square at the interval but nine minutes after the break, Wigan went close again.

After some very good play, Luca Latona found Welsh and he drove into the box, but his cross was cleared before Joe Adams could get onto it.

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The U’s trialist was then booked for a foul on Jack Reilly, before Charlie Hughes was cautioned for a foul.

From a Welsh corner, Sam Owens flicked the ball on, but Johnson was there to hold the ball.

The substitute then capitalised on an error but his effort then went sailing over the bar.

Kai Payne's 25-yard effort flew just wide of the post before with five minutes to go, Colchester had a great chance to bag a late winner.

Kacy Parish squared the ball to Asare-Williams but with the goal at his mercy, keeper Tom Watson recovered to deny him.

Then with two minutes to go, Price pulled the ball back to Drakes-Thomas but again the home keeper came to his side’s rescue as the spoils were shared.

U's U18: Endurance Johnson, Matt Yates, Trialist, Ryan Lowe, Namory Kane, Frankie Terry, Kai Redgrave (sub Freddie Price), Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Samson Tovide, Kacy Parish, T’aizo Marcel-Dilaver (sub Darnell Asare-Williams). Subs (not used): Bradley Chakawa, Jaime Tedaldi.