Colchester United drew with Salford City in League Two

Ihionvien struck a fine 75th-minute equaliser just two minutes after coming on as a substitute to secure a share of the spoils for the U's at Moor Lane, after the Ammies had gone ahead just before half-time through Matt Smith's goal.

It was the 20-year-old's fifth goal of the season and a welcome one for Colchester, who had looked like they were heading for defeat.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made two changes to his starting line-up.

Tom Dallison returned for his first start since mid-January as part of a three-man defence, while Tom Hopper was also recalled up front.

Arthur Read dropped to the bench, while winger Jayden Fevrier missed out after picking up an impact injury at Sutton United, last weekend.

Colchester, watched by their former players Junior Tchamadeu and Steven Gillespie, made a rapid start and were almost ahead after 40 seconds.

Noah Chilvers fired a low shot past the post from the edge of the area, after some good build-up play by the visitors.

And the U’s came even closer three minutes later when Salford goalkeeper Alex Cairns made a brilliant save to turn Cameron McGeehan's close-range shot past the post for a corner, after John Akinde had done well to set him up in the area.

Colchester continued to press; Alistair Smith’s header flew wide of the target from close range, while Chilvers was unlucky not to score from 35 yards when he spotted Cairns off his line but the Salford goalkeeper plucked the ball out of the line from under his crossbar.

Salford’s registered their first meaningful effort on goal in the 16th minute when Dallison cleared Matt Smith’s header off the line, after Callum Hendry had done well to deliver a cross into the danger area.

But Colchester’s passing was neat and they went close again on the half hour when McGeehan's shot from the edge of the area flew straight at Cairns, after some good interchange by the U’s.

Hopper almost broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when he went past Cairns on the edge of the area but could only direct his shot wide of the near post and the chance went begging.

And rather against the run of play, Salford went ahead three minutes later.

Former Braintree Town loanee Callum Morton crossed low from the byline and found a completely unmarked Smith, who gleefully tapped in from two yards.

It was a blow for Colchester before half-time and they almost fell further behind in the opening minutes of the second half when Morton won possession on the edge of the U's penalty area before curling a shot just wide of Owen Goodman's far post.

Sixteen-year-old Kyrell Malcolm blasted a decent opening over for the hosts soon after while Smith has a header disallowed for offside after he nodded in Elliot Watt's free-kick at the near post.

Colchester registered their first effort of the second half in the 70th minute when McGeehan's fierce shot from the edge of the area warmed the gloves of Cairns.

Bradley Ihionvien and Matt Jay were introduced with 17 minutes remaining, in a bid to score an equaliser.

And two minutes later, Colchester were level when Ihionvien fired home a low first-time shot past Cairns after Jay and McGeehan had combined well to set him up.

Goodman was required to make a fine save low to his right to push away Declan John's shot for a corner immediately afterwards, as both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages.

But there were no further goals, as the spoils were shared and Colchester's unbeaten record at Moor Lane continued.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Dallison, Harbottle (sub Egbo, 54), Hall, Richardson (sub Read, 62), Iandolo, McGeehan, Smith (sub Jay, 73), Chilvers, Hopper, Akinde (sub Ihionvien, 73).

Subs (not used): Mingi, Miranda, Hornby.

Salford City: Cairns, John, Mariappa, Watt, Watson (sub McLennan, 84), Tilt, Chesters (sub Ingram, 59), Morton, Malcolm (sub Lund, 59), Smith (sub Humbles, 84), Hendry (sub McAleny, 38).

Subs (not used): Torrance, Berkoe.

Goals: Colchester: Ihionvien (75). Salford: Smith (45).

Bookings: Colchester: Iandolo (45), Hall (unsporting behaviour, 90). Salford: Morton (foul, 74), Mariappa (foul, 83), Humbles (foul, 88), Ingram (foul, 90).

Red card: None.

Referee: Kirsty Dowle.

Attendance:  2,438 (162 U's fans).