COLCHESTER United had to be content with just a point after a late goal denied them an important victory following a 1-1 draw with ten-man Accrington Stanley this afternoon.

The U's looked like they were heading for the win after Noah Chilvers had put them ahead with a fine first-half goal and then the Reds' Brad Hills was sent off for lashing out at Tom Hopper, just after the break.

But Riley Harbottle diverted Kelvin Mellor's delivery into his own net in the 80th minute, to give the visitors a share of the spoils at the JobServe Community Stadium.

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

John Akinde came in for his first start since New Year’s Day, with Harry Anderson dropping out due to injury.

The game started at a fast tempo and Colchester almost took a 12th-minute lead when Harbottle's 25-yard right-foot effort was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Radek Vitek for a corner.

And the U’s went close again two minutes later through Akinde, whose downward header from Alistair Smith's looped ball into the box dropped inches past the far post.

Colchester felt Accrington defender Mellor should have been sent off after his flailing arm caught Smith in the face after the pair had jumped for a high ball but he was only shown a yellow card.

Accrington began to look more threatening as the first half wore on without really testing Colchester goalkeeper Owen Goodman and the U’s came close again when Tom Hopper’s header flew over the bar from close range, after Connor Hall had helped Chilvers' free-kick into his path.

And Colchester made the all-important breakthrough when Chilvers drove forward before drilling a fine 25-yard low strike into the net, after Harbottle had initially brought the ball forward into his path.

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It gave the U’s a deserved advantage at the break and things got even better for the hosts less than a minute into the second half when Hills was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Hopper, near the halfway line.

Cam McGeehan fired straight at Vitek after Hopper had intercepted Lewis Trickett's pass midway inside the Accrington half, as Colchester pressed for a second goal.

But ten-man Accrington scored a surprise equaliser in the 80th minute when Mellor delivered a cross into the box and Harbottle could only divert the ball into his own net. 

It was tough on the U's who had looked on course for a vital victory but the spoils were shared.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Richardson, Harbottle, Hall, Iandolo, McGeehan (sub Mingi, 77), Smith, Fevrier (sub Edwards, 90), Chilvers, Akinde (sub Wilkinson, 65) Hopper.

Subs (not used): Dallison, Jay, Ihionvien, Hornby.

Accrington Stanley: Vitek, Shipley, Mellor, Hills, Woods, Nolan, Leigh, Bickerstaff (sub Martin, 56), Conneely (sub Adekoya, 56), O'Brien, Woods (sub Trickett, 56).

Subs (not used): Quirk, Pickles, Henderson, McIntyre.

Goals: Colchester: Chilvers (40). Accrington: Harbottle (own goal, 80).

Bookings: Colchester: Iandolo (foul, 27), Harbottle (foul, 76), Edwards (foul, 90). Accrington: Mellor (foul, 20).

Red card: Accrington: Hills (violent conduct, 46).

Referee: Jeremy Simpson.

Attendance: 3,436 (118 Accrington fans).