COLCHESTER United had to settle for a share of the spoils this afternoon after playing out a 1-1 draw with Carlisle United in their first home game of the season.

The U's had led through Noah Chilvers' early strike but Kristian Dennis equalised for the Cumbrians before half-time and that was the way it stayed.

It was an open contest with chances for both sides but Colchester will be disappointed that they did not claim all three points.

Colchester head coach Wayne Brown made one change to his starting line-up, with summer signing Alex Newby given the nod over John Akinde who was on the bench.

The U’s started brightly and came within a whisker of taking a sixth-minute lead.

Freddie Sears cut inside towards goal before planting a shot onto the inside of the post and then away to safety, from Newby's fine pass.

Carlisle were dangerous in the first half though and Jack Armer's diving header at the far post flew inches wide for the visitors, following Jordan Gibson's cross into the U's area.

Colchester came even closer to conceding in the 15th minute when Ryan Clampin's under-hit back-pass presented Kristian Dennis with a golden opportunity in the area but goalkeeper Sam Hornby made a fine save to deny him.

It proved a warning the U’s heeded and in the 19th minute, the hosts were ahead.

Noah Chilvers collected Luke Hannant's low pass and drilled a fine shot into the far corner of the net to give Colchester the lead.

Carlisle kept going though and continued to look dangerous.

Dennis's low 25-yard effort was well saved by Hornby, before the Cumbrians got back on level terms just before the break.

The dangerous Dennis glanced a superb header past Hornby and in from Mozon's excellent cross from the left, to ensure the teams went in half-time on level terms.

Colchester started the second half brightly though and almost equalised five minutes after the break.

Tomas Holy pulled off a fine save to deny Chilvers, after Newby's brilliant flick in the area had set up the chance.

Colchester made a triple change just after the hour mark, bringing on Frank Nouble, Ossama Ashley and Marley Marshall Miranda in a bid to get back in front.

But Hornby had to make a good save at his near post to deny Jack Armer's header in the closing stages but the points were shared.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Hornby, Tchamadeu, Chambers, Eastman, Clampin (sub Coxe, 73), Skuse (sub Akinde, 87), Judge (sub Marshall Miranda, 63), Hannant (sub Ashley, 63), Newby (sub Nouble, 63), Chilvers, Sears.

Subs (not used): Dallison, Collins.

Carlisle United: Holy, Armer, Mozon (sub Harris, 87), Feeney, Gibson, Guy, Edmondson (sub Patrick, 62), Dennis (sub Stretton, 69), Mellis, Back, Barclay.

Subs (not used): Hilton, Whelan, Devitt, Kelly.

Referee: James Oldham.

Bookings: Carlisle: Back (foul, 74), Barclay (foul, 82).

Sending off: None.

Goals: Colchester: Chilvers (19). Carlisle: Dennis (45).

Attendance: 3,137 (314 Carlisle fans).