COLCHESTER United played out their second successive 1-1 draw after sharing the points with Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.
The U's took an early lead in the League Two clash through Jack Tucker but Josh Hawkes' equaliser before half-time secured the hosts a draw.
It was a hard-fought affair and Colchester were forced to defend well at times with Matt Macey making several saves and the impressive Tucker making three vital goal-saving clearances, in the second half.
But the U's will feel they deserved their point for their commitment to the cause, as they battled for a share of the spoils.
Colchester boss Danny Cowley made two changes to his starting line-up for the club’s first visit to Oldham Athletic since 2021.
Kyreece Lisbie and Oscar Thorn came into the team for the injured Will Goodwin and Kane Vincent-Young, who dropped to the bench.
Colchester had a strong wind in their favour in the first half and set about using it to their advantage.
They were ahead in the eighth minute through Jack Tucker, who firmly headed home unmarked at the far post and into the far corner from Oscar Thorn's excellent deep cross after some patient build-up, following a corner.
Buoyed by the early goal, Colchester quickly went in search of another and they almost got one in the 11th minute when Owura Edwards' low strike was saved by the legs of keeper Matthew Hudson, after Lisbie had laid the ball off.
The U’s went close again seven minutes later when the dangerous Lisbie collected possession on the left edge of the area before letting fly with a rasping effort that whistled just past the far post.
Danny Cowley on Jack Payne, navigating challenges and facing Oldham
But against the run of play, Oldham came agonisingly close to making it 1-1 when Kane Drummond inexplicably hooked over an open goal from two yards, after Colchester goalkeeper Matt Macey had failed to hold onto Reagan Ogle's long throw into the six-yard box.
It was a big let off for the U’s and the hosts went close again soon after when Donervon Daniels headed over from close range, after Ryan Woods had delivered a free-kick into the box.
Josh Hawkes then curled a shot over the bar for Oldham and Joe Quigley’s low shot from 20 yards flashed just past the post soon after, as the home side threatened an equaliser.
And it came in the 36th minute when Hawkes’ low delivery into the six-yard box eluded Macey under pressure from Drummond and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Colchester almost produced an instant response when Hudson saved Harry Anderson’s fierce attempt at his near post but the sides went in level at the break and it was Oldham who started the second half the brighter.
The hosts almost scored less than two minutes after the restart when Tucker made a vital challenge to deny Quigley in the U's box, just as the Oldham striker was about to pull the trigger.
The Latics went close again just before the hour when Hawkes' low shot was cleared off the line by Tucker, after Macey had initially made a good stop to deny former U's winger Luke Hannant from close range.
Colchester made a triple change just before the midway point in the second half, with Vincent-Young, Samson Tovide and Arthur Read all sent on.
Tucker twice cleared off the line from Quigley seconds after Macey had denied Drummond from close range, as Oldham pressed.
Hannant's long-range deflected just over the bar for a corner as the clock ticked down and Macey made a fine save to deny substitute Kian Harratt in stoppage time but the points were shared.
MATCH STATS: Colchester United: Macey, Thorn (sub Vincent-Young, 64), Tucker, Flanagan, Hunt, Anderson (sub Payne, 76), Perry, Bishop (sub Read, 64), Edwards, Lisbie (sub Akande, 76), Williams (sub Tovide, 64).
Substitutes (not used): Powell, Smith.
Oldham Athletic: Hudson, Ogle, Daniels, Monthe, Woods (sub Hannant, 46), Drummond (sub Harratt, 84), Quigley, Morris (sub Fondop, 52), Hawkes, Robson, Conlon.
Substitutes (not used): Sutton, Hammond, Waters, Donaghy.
Referee: Craig Hicks.
Goals: Colchester: Tucker (8). Oldham: Hawkes (36).
Bookings: Colchester: Macey (unsporting behaviour, 34). Oldham: Conlon (foul, 89).
Attendance: 7,799 (371 U's fans).
