OWEN Goodman was the hero as Colchester United played out a 1-1 draw at bottom club Sutton United this afternoon.

U's goalkeeper Goodman made a brilliant save from Harry Smith's 80th-minute spot-kick to ensure the U's claimed a point from a fiercely-contested encounter, at Gander Green Lane.

It was Colchester's fifth draw in seven matches under Danny Cowley, after Cameron McGeehan's seventh-minute opener had been cancelled out by Charlie Lakin.

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

Arthur Read returned to the team after missing the last two games with a calf injury in place of Tom Hopper, who dropped to the bench.

There was a welcome return for Mandela Egbo, who was on the bench after missing two months with a knee injury.

Colchester were aiming to make a positive start but were almost behind inside the opening 30 seconds.

Harry Smith beat the offside trap and delivered a ball into the box that former Colchester midfielder Craig Eastmond fired over the bar, when he should have at least hit the target.

And Colchester had an equally good chance soon after when Sutton goalkeeper Steve Arnold denied Read from point-blank range, after Jayden Fevrier had robbed Sam Hart of possession inside the hosts’ half and crossed into the area.

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But the U’s did go ahead in the seventh minute.

Cameron McGeehan hit a first-time shot past Arnold from close range after John Akinde had picked him out, following Noah Chilvers' run down the right.

Colchester came agonisingly close to doubling their lead, in the 15th minute.

Read bent an excellent free-kick past the Sutton wall but saw his effort come back off the foot of a post, with Chilvers’ attempt on the rebound deflected away for a corner.

But Sutton were back on level terms in the 18th minute.

Charlie Lakin prodded home, after Jayden Richardson had failed to properly clear Josh Coley’s delivery inside his own six-yard box.

Sutton had a penalty claim for handball rejected when Smith’s was denied in the area and eight minutes before half-time, Ben Goodliffe's header from a free-kick into a crowded area sailed inches wide of the far post.

Goodman got a touch on Eastmond's powerful shot and diverted it away for a corner as the hosts finished the half strongly.

Harbottle made a superb goal-line clearance to hook away Smith’s lobbed effort after it had looked destined for the back of the net while in first-half stoppage time, McGeehan had the ball in the net but the assistant raised his flag for offside, seconds after Arnold had denied both Read and Jayden Fevrier in quick succession.

It meant Colchester went in on level terms at the break but Sutton almost went ahead ten minutes into the second half when Craig Clay's first-time effort from a corner sailed wide of the post, when he should have at least hit the target.

Just after the hour mark, McGeehan headed into the side netting after Iandolo had delivered a deep cross from the left, following a swift U's break.

Colchester went close again with 18 minutes left when substitute Hopper's header from Read's free-kick into the box was brilliantly tipped over by Arnold.

Sutton had a golden opportunity to score when Harbottle handled substitute Stephen Duke-Merchant's shot in the area but Owen Goodman made a brilliant save to deny Smith from the spot, much to the delight of the U's fans behind the goal.

Seven minutes of stoppage time were played at the end but the spoils were shared.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Richardson (sub Egbo, 64), Harbottle, Hall, Iandolo, McGeehan (sub Mingi, 90), Smith, Read, Fevrier (sub Jay, 83), Chilvers, Akinde (sub Hopper, 64).

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

Sutton United: Arnold, Jackson, Adom-Malako, Goodliffe, Kizzi, Hart, Eastmond, Lakin, Clay (sub Duke-McKenna, 69), Coley (sub Sanderson, 69), Smith.

Subs (not used): Sowunmi, Moore, Taylor, Angol, Roberts.

Goals: Colchester: McGeehan (7). Sutton: Lakin (18).

Bookings: Colchester: Richardson (foul, 36), Read (foul, 75), Iandolo (foul, 90). Sutton: Goodliffe (foul, 88).

Red card: None.

Referee: Benjamin Speedie.

Attendance: 3,472 (787 U's fans).