COLCHESTER United's under-21s played out a 1-1 draw with Reading in their latest Professional Development League match, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The Royals enjoyed the best of the first-half play at Bearwood Training ground, against Liam Bailey's team.

The home team were the better side before half-time, with Rashawn Scott the main source of their chances.

Two dazzling runs nearly produced goals for him, with U's goalkeeper Ted Collins scooping away one effort and then watching as another went over the bar.

Then a short corner routine between Sam Paul and Scott allowed the latter to whip a delightful ball in from the left; captain Louie Holzman got up commandingly but steered a header against the bar.

Colchester had a few chances, with Ryan Lowe striking over on a half-volley after Oscar Thorn cushioned down, and Donell Thomas firing over from a presentable free-kick situation after Leon Bello drew a foul.

But Reading’s dominance continued when some persistence down the right by Geneiro Maragh - who it is believed had once had trialled for Colchester - was allowed to cut back the ball back for Mamadi Camara, who just leaned back on his close-range strike.

Scott had three more opportunities before the break, all of which were agonisingly close.

Adrian Akande’s deflected cross was picked up by Camara, who fed to Scott, and his shot was deflected agonisingly wide.

And Colchester stopper Collins was thankful to see powerful efforts flash either side of the post before the break, after more excellent build-up play by the hosts.

Reading finally got the deserved lead soon after the break.

It came as Jay Senga’s clever play saw him break and it saw him release Paul, whose crossed low for trialist B to convert under the bar on 50 minutes.

The Royals could not hold the lead, though.

Colchester began to create chances of their own and eventually took one through T’aizo Marcel Dilaver, who shot low and hard past Harvey Collins to level midway through the second half.

The goal stirred Reading back to life and Scott clipped a ball through a gap for Adrian Akande to rush onto on the right byline and a firm cross just slipped out of reach for substitute Jeremiah Okine-Peters.

Chances kept coming Reading’s way but the U’s kept it level.

Scott was released through and just saw the ball bobble out of reach at the last, and then his free-kick was saved low to the keeper’s right.

Akande had a similar chance to get in behind but Collins did well to smother as he rushed off his line, before Scott and substitute Nahum Melvin-Lambert saw stoppage-time efforts blocked out, as the spoils were shared.

Colchester U21: Ted Collins, Benedict Bioletti, Poello, Frankie Edwards, Harry Beadle (sub Bailey Berry, 60), Ryan Lowe (sub Drakes-Thomas, 60), Bayan Aman (sub Idiakhoa, 67), Kaan Bennett, Oscar Thorn (Jeffers 67), Donell Thomas, T’aizo Marcel-Dilaver. Sub (not used): Harrison Chamberlain