TED Collins was the hero as Colchester United's under-21s drew 1-1 with Professional Development League leaders Birmingham City this afternoon, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Goalkeeper Collins saved Junior Dixon's late penalty to ensure a share of the spoils for Matty Etherington's side at Maldon and Tiptree FC.

Colchester fell behind after just two minutes when Bailey Berry's wayward and strong back pass caught Collins out and flew into the net.

The U's responded well and Archie Oliver and Oscar Thorn were both denied by Blues keeper Brad Mayo.

 

However the U's equalised after nine minutes when Oliver's superb through ball sent one of the two trialists clear and he scored with a confident finish.

Dixon headed over from Harley Hamilton's cross while at the other end, Collins got down to save at his near post.

Birmingham's Kieran Wakefield's cross-shot sailed wide of the far post and Collins saved a header from a free-kick.

The last action of the half saw Collins save another cross shot, before Colchester came agonisingly close to scoring just after the break.

Thorn met a cross on the right and saw his shot thump against the right hand post, with Marcel Oakley then clearing off the line.

 

It was a good spell for Colchester as one of the trialists and Max Jolliffe both had shots blocked, while Thorn weaved his way into the box but shot just wide of the far post.

The U's came so close again when one of the trialists saw his shot hit the right-hand post, after a great run by Ryan Lowe.

Jolliffe's shot from distance was straight at the keeper and when Blues' Menzi Mazwi seemed to be in on goal, Thorn made a great block and Collins then denied Romelle Donovan.

Birmingham had a great chance to win it on 85 minutes when Donovan went down in the box and a penalty was awarded but Dixon's spot-kick was superbly saved by Collins down to his left.

There was still time for one more chance when Lowe's fine pass put one of the U's trialists in on goal but Mayo saved and the spoils were shared.

Colchester United U21: Ted Collins, Oscar Thorn, Bayan Aman, Bailey Berry, Ryan Lowe, Archie Oliver, Max Jolliffe, Trialist A, Kai Martin (sub Jet Dyer, 68), Trialist B, Kaleel Green (sub Ollie Godziemski, 68). Subs (not used): Alamin Kosko, Makaya James, Harrison Chamberlain.