Colchester United played out their fifth successive draw after sharing the spoils with Carlisle United.

The U's drew 1-1 with the Cumbrians, following another close game at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester extended their unbeaten run to nine matches but will feel that this was a missed opportunity to close the gap on the teams above them in the table, having been ahead in the second half.

Colchester, who recalled Martin Rowlands and Gavin Massey to their starting line-up, tried hard to find openings in an even first half.

But few were forthcoming and the closest they came to scoring was when Massey's shot flashed just wide, in the minutes leading up to the break.

Francois Zoko registered Carlisle's best effort of the half just before half-time when he drilled a low shot straight at Ben Williams.

Liam Noble's close-range effort deflected just wide for the visitors early in the second half while at the other end, Carlisle keeper Adam Collin gathered Anthony Wordsworth's low long-range strike.

The U's took the lead when Rowlands fired a crisp shot past Collin and in, after being fed by Gillespie's low pass.

But they were pegged back midway through the second half when James Berrett sprung the Colchester offside trap and finished smartly past Williams, from Lee Miller's flick.

Colchester pushed for a winner after that and substitute Andrew Bond warmed Collin's gloves in stoppage-time with a fierce drive but the spoils were shared.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester's game against Carlisle United, see Monday's Gazette.