COLCHESTER United came from behind to earn a draw for the second successive game after drawing 1-1 with Bradford City this afternoon.

Tom Hopper's fine solo strike early in the second half earned the U's a share of the spoils in Danny Cowley's first home game in charge, after Andy Cook had given the Bantams a first-half lead.

It was a much improved second-half performance from Colchester, after Bradford had enjoyed the better of the first half.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made two changes to his starting line-up, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Cameron McGeehan returned from suspension and new signing Jayden Richardson made his debut, with Ellis Iandolo missing out due to injury and Marley Marshall Miranda dropping to the bench.

It was a quiet opening to the contest, with little to choose between the two sides early on.

Bradford carved out the game’s first chance, with Brad Halliday meeting Liam Ridehalgh's deep cross at the far post but failing to get any power behind his effort.

And the Bantams went close again on the half hour when Andy Cook's diving header flew over the bar, from Harry Chapman's cross into the U's box.

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Cook’s downward header at the far post from Richie Smallwood's deep cross dropped just wide of the target for the visitors, before Bradford took the lead in the 35th minute.

Cook lashed home a first-time shot with his right foot off the far post, after Ash Taylor’s ball into the area had been helped towards him by Bobby Pointon.

Colchester went in trailing at the break and they almost fell further behind early in the second half when Chapman's volley landed on the roof of the net, after a good break by the visitors.

But the U's were back on level terms in the 59th minute when Tom Hopper brilliantly took down Tom Dallison's pass and lashed a superb low shot past former Colchester goalkeeper Sam Walker to equalise.

It was Hopper's first home goal for Colchester and the hosts immediately went in search of another, after drawing level.

Substitute John Akinde headed straight at Walker as the clock ticked down and Walker then made a brilliant save to tip over Arthur Read's fine curled effort in stoppage-time, as the spoils were shared.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Richardson, Mitchell, Hall, Dallison, McGeehan, Read, Fevrier (sub Edwards, 76), Jay (sub Wilkinson, 55), Chilvers, Hopper (sub Akinde, 83).

Subs (not used): Greenidge, Miranda, Ihionvien, Hornby.

Bradford City: Walker, Halliday, Ridehalgh, Taylor, Smallwood, Stubbs, Chapman (sub Oliver, 68), Pointon (sub Oduor, 68), Tomkinson, Gilliead, Cook.

Subs (not used): Platt, Smith, Kelly, McDonald, Doyle.

Goals: Colchester: Hopper (59). Bradford: Cook (35).

U's man of the match: Tom Hopper.

Referee: Scott Simpson.

Attendance: 4,625 (459 Bradford fans).