COLCHESTER United had to settle for a point after playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Forest Green Rovers at the JobServe Community Stadium this afternoon.

Second-half goals from Alistair Smith, Jayden Fevrier and Harry Anderson had helped the U's overturn a two-goal deficit, only for Dominic Thompson to equalise for the visitors soon after and ensure a share of the spoils.

It helped Colchester extend their unbeaten run to four matches under Danny and Nicky Cowley and they will be happy with the way their side battled back from 2-0 down, while at the same time disappointed not to win the match having been ahead in the game in the second half.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made one change to his starting line-up.

Harry Anderson started his first game for the U’s in place of Cameron McGeehan, who missed out due to the concussion suffered in the win at Morecambe.

Colchester goalkeeper Owen Goodman was called into action in the opening minute when he pushed Fankaty Dabo’s effort over for a corner.

Former U’s defender Ryan Inniss went close with an effort soon after and the visitors capitalised on their good start when they went ahead in the 11th minute.

Matty Stevens netted from the spot, after Tom Hopper had been adjudged to have fouled Jordan Moore-Taylor with a high boot in the area.

Forest Green went close again soon when Inniss’s deflected effort spun over, after Colchester had failed to clear their lines.

Colchester looked for a route back into the contest and should really have drawn level in the 20th minute when Noah Chilvers' shot from close range was pushed over by Forest Green goalkeeper Luke Daniels, after Jayden Richardson had done brilliantly to pick him out in the six-yard box.

Chilvers’ first-time effort then flew over for Colchester before the visitors extended their lead in the 27th minute through Christian Doidge, who converted from close range after Matty Stevens had made a nuisance of himself in the area.

Anderson's deflected effort from the edge of the area flew wide for a corner in first-half stoppage-time but Colchester went in with it all to do, at the break.

The U's started the second half in positive fashion and almost halved the deficit five minutes after the break when Anderson's strike from the edge of the area flew inches over, after Hopper had done well to set him up.

Colchester started the second half brightly and were back on level terms in the 65th minute when Alistair Smith drilled home a low shot from a tight angle, from substitute John Akinde's assist.

And it was 2-2 two minutes when Jayden Fevrier fired home first time from the edge of the area, after Anderson had picked him out.

Colchester completed their turnaround with a third goal in five minutes through Anderson, whose low strike flew in from Hopper's pass.

It was a remarkable recovery for the U's but Forest Green equalised in the 74th minute when Dominic Thompson's low long-range strike squirmed past Colchester goalkeeper Owen Goodman, seconds after Doidge's effort had been blocked on the line.

Both sides looked to grab a winner after that but had to settle for a share of the points, following a thoroughly entertaining contest.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Richardson, Harbottle, Hall, Iandolo, Read, Smith, Anderson (sub Wilkinson, 81), Fevrier, Chilvers (sub Akinde, 60), Hopper.

Subs (not used): Mingi, Jay, Edwards, Ihionvien, Hornby.

Forest Green Rovers: Daniel, Inniss, Moore-Taylor (sub Bernard, 44), Thompson (sub Oyedele, 89), Dabo (sub Robson, 77), Bunker, Osadebe, McCann, McAllister, Stevens (sub Jones, 77), Doidge.

Subs (not used): Simkin, Omotoye, Brown.

Goals: Colchester: Smith (65), Fevrier (67), Anderson (70). Forest Green: Stevens (11), Doidge (27), Thompson (76).

Bookings: Colchester: Hopper (foul, 11). Forest Green: Jones (foul, 84).

Referee: Neil Hair.

Attendance: 4,519, (174 Forest Green fans).