NOAH Chilvers rescued Colchester United a point after they drew 1-1 with managerless Tranmere Rovers at the JobServe Community Stadium this afternoon.

Chilvers fired home from the spot in the 65th minute to secure the U's a draw, after they had trailed to Harvey Saunders' first-half opener for the visitors in a match which featured 13 bookings.

It was another point gained by Colchester after coming from behind and they remain five points above the League Two relegation zone, with eight games remaining.

But the U's will be disappointed it was not all three, after they pressed for a winner after Chilvers' equaliser.

Colchester boss Ben Garner named an unchanged team for the game against Tranmere.

And the U’s made a bright start, with Junior Tchamadeu at the forefront of their attacking play.

Colchester almost took a tenth-minute lead when Samson Tovide's low shot from the edge of the area was pushed away for a corner by Tranmere’s veteran keeper, Joe Murphy.

But the U’s fell behind in the 13th minute.

Harvey Saunders pounced on Josh Hawkes’ through ball that caught out the Colchester defence and took the ball past goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara before tapping it into the vacant net.

Like a balloon being popped, the goal seemed to deflate the U’s and their fans and in contrast, Tranmere pushed for a second.

Joel Mumbongo drove in a low shot that O’Hara saved at his near post.

And soon after, O’Hara made another good stop at his near post to foil Chris Merrie, with Saunders heading over with the goal at his mercy from the resultant corner.

Colchester squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to equalise in the 34th minute when Tom Hopper missed the target from three yards with the goal gaping, after Tchamadeu had created the chance with another fine run.

It meant the U’s went in trailing at the break but they started the second half positively and should have been awarded a 51st minute penalty when Tovide tumbled under Murphy's challenge in the area but was booked for simulation.

It was a decision that incensed both players and fans alike but Tranmere almost doubled their lead soon after when Mumbongo's long-range effort flashed inches wide.

Chilvers' excellent first-time volley from the edge of the area was saved by Murphy.

And soon after, Chilvers was denied by Murphy again at his near post, after substitute Matt Jay had done well to set up the chance.

Colchester finally got back on level terms in the 65th minute through Chilvers, who scored from the spot after Fiacre Kelleher had been fouled by Josh Dacres-Cogley in the area following Tchamadeu's curled ball into the box.

Colchester went in search of a late winner after that and Freddie Sears' first-time volley straight at Murphy after fellow substitute John Akinde had helped the ball onto him in the area.

Seven minutes of stoppage time were added at the end, but the points were shared.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: O’Hara, Chambers, Kelleher, Hall, Tchamadeu, Kazeem (sub Fevrier, 60), Ashley (sub Read, 30), Newby (sub Jay, 60), Chilvers, Tovide (sub Akinde, 76), Hopper (sub Sears, 76).

Subs (not used): Greenidge, Smith.

Tranmere Rovers: Murphy, Dacres-Cogley, Bristow, Davies, Merrie, Hawkes (sub Turner-Cooke, 71), Turnbull, Hughes (sub O'Connor, 46), Hendry, Mumbongo (sub Burton, 77), Saunders (sub Chalmers, 90).

Subs (not used): Hewelt, Taylor, Hoti.

Referee: Carl Boyeson (East Yorkshire).

Goals: Colchester: Chilvers (65). Tranmere: Saunders (18).

Bookings: Colchester: Tovide (simulation, 51), Newby (unsporting behaviour, 58), Tchamadeu (unsporting behaviour, 76), Read (foul, 87), Kelleher (foul, 90). Tranmere: Mumbongo (unsporting behaviour, 39), Davies (foul, 55), Hendry (unsporting behaviour, 58), Dacres-Cogley (foul, 64), Murphy (unsporting behaviour, 64), Turnbull (foul, 70), Bristow (unsporting behaviour, 76), Saunders (simulation, 89).

Attendance: 3,420 (270 Tranmere fans).