COLCHESTER United's under-21s claimed a well-deserved 1-1 draw at Cardiff City in their latest Professional Development League Two game, writes BRIAN WALLER. 

The U's travelled to South Wales to face a home team who had beaten Bristol City earlier in the week whilst the U’s had drawn 2-2 at Millwall, their first league point after 11 defeats in a row.

Whilst the U’s remained bottom of the table looking for their first win since August, City were just one place above them but a massive ten points ahead.

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Colchester faced a home side, several of whom had played against their under-18s six days earlier.

It was a quiet start to the match but on three minutes Trey George went down in the box under a challenge but nothing was given.

Then Hakeem Sandah was unable to capitalise on the loose ball, after Oscar Thorn had blocked home keeper Joe Thomas's attempted clearance. 

Colchester took the lead after 23 minutes when Thorn netted from the spot, after Connolly went down under the challenge of Dylan Lawlor in the area. 

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The best Cardiff chance came when George headed just wide at the back post, from a Semenyo cross before Colchester goalkeeper Ted Collins made a brilliant save from left-back Luey Giles, superbly tipping over the bar.

Cardiff substitute Tan Nyakuhwa curled an effort from the left wide of the far post just before the hour and Antwi's free-kick flew well over, as the hosts pressed for an equaliser.

Max Jolliffe got in down the left but the Cardiff keeper saved at his near post while at the other end, Wigley's shot was touched around the post for a corner.

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Cardiff finally equalised with seven minutes remaining when Nyakuhwa powerfully headed in Wigley's cross from the left.

Colchester looked to have gone into the lead again after Marcel Dilaver found substitute Kaleel Green in the box who scored on the turn but again it looked very close, as he was flagged offside.

Sandah's shot was saved late on, as Colchester claimed a share of the spoils.

Colchester United U21: Ted Collins, Elkanah Akor, Frankie Edwards (sub Kaleel Green, 68), Bailey Berry, Ryan Lowe, Hakeem Sandah, Bayan Aman, Max Jolliffe, Kennedy Mupomba, Kien Connolly (sub T'aizo Marcel Dilaver, 68), Oscar Thorn. Sub (not used): Harrison Chamberlain.