COLCHESTER United launched a superb late comeback to draw 2-2 at League Two leaders Leyton Orient this afternoon.

The U's looked like they were heading for a fifth straight defeat, following goals in each half from George Moncur and Ruel Sotiriou.

However, Connor Hall headed them back in the game in the 89th minute and Noah Chilvers' magnificent strike in the second minute of stoppage-time rescued a point for the visitors, in front of more than 700 of their jubilant travelling fans.

Colchester boss Ben Garner made two changes to his starting line-up for the game against Orient.

Al-Amin Kazeem made his first start since January 7 and Samson Tovide was also recalled, with Matt Jay dropping to the bench and Connor Wood ineligible to play against his parent club.

Colchester started with a flat back four, with Luke Chambers at right-back and Junior Tchamadeu utilised in a right midfield role.

There was little in the way of goalmouth action for either team in the opening minutes, on a pitch made very slippery thanks to torrential rain.

Tom Hopper headed a decent opening wide in the early stages for Colchester, who contained their hosts well in the first quarter of the game.

U’s keeper Kieran O’Hara was not troubled but the U’s fell behind in the 33rd minute.

Fiacre Kelleher was adjudged to have fouled Paul Smyth in the area and referee Ross Joyce pointed to the spot, allowing former U’s midfielder George Moncur to give Orient the lead.

Colchester battled hard against their high-flying hosts and tried hard to find a route back into the contest before half-time.

But Orient almost doubled their lead in first-half stoppage-time when Smyth’s header dipped just over the bar from Tom James’ whipped free-kick into the box, as the U’s went in at the break behind.

Colchester made a change at the break, with Will Greenidge on for Kelleher and they made a bright start to the second half, as the rain turned into sunshine.

The U's squandered a golden opportunity to equalise just after the hour when Alex Newby under-hit a pass intended for Tovide in the area, after Tchamadeu had made a superb break towards goal.

Colchester made another change soon after that, sending on Leyton-born Jayden Fevrier for Kazeem as they looked to find an equaliser.

But the U's fell further behind in the 68th minute when Ruel Sotiriou wriggled past Connor Hall in the area and clinically drilled a shot past keeper Kieran O'Hara and inside his near post.

But Colchester gave themselves a glimmer of hope in the 89th minute when Hall glanced a header into the net at the far post from Matt Jay's corner.

And in the second minute of time added on, Chilvers collected the ball just inside the Orient half before launching a superb strike into the top corner, from the edge of the area.

There was still time for Hall to brilliantly nod Aaron Drinan's header off the line and at the other end, Jay shoot straight at Vigouroux, as the U's claimed a point.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: O’Hara, Chambers, Kelleher (sub Greenidge, 46), Hall, Tchamadeu, Kazeem (sub Fevrier, 62), Ashley, Newby (sub Jay, 67), Chilvers, Tovide (sub Akinde, 75), Hopper (sub Sears, 75).

Subs (not used): Miranda, Smith.

Leyton Orient: Vigouroux, James, Smyth (sub Thompson, 70), Beckles, Sotiriou (sub Kelman, 79), Sweeney, Turns, Pratley, El Mizouni (sub Clay, 75), Moncur (sub Sadlier, 75), Drinan.

Subs (not used): Ogie, Brown, Byrne.

Referee: Ross Joyce (Cleveland).

Bookings: Colchester: Hopper (foul, 17), Tchamadeu (unsporting behaviour, 33), Kelleher (foul, 33). Leyton Orient: Turns (foul, 51), Vigouroux (unsporting behaviour, 79), Drinan (unsporting behaviour, 90).

Goals: Colchester: Hall (89), Chilvers (90). Leyton Orient: Moncur (33), Sotiriou (68).

Attendance: 8,684 (774 U's fans).