Colchester United 1 Fleetwood Town 1

Colchester United’s long wait for a league victory goes on and on, after the relegation-threatened U’s were held to a home draw by lowly rivals Fleetwood Town tonight.

Alex Gilbey fired the U’s into a 38th minute lead, but Icelandic international Eggert Jonsson crashed home a second-half equaliser for the Cod Army.

The U’s have now not won a league game for three months, since a 2-1 home success over Port Vale on October 20.

They have also taken just two points from a possible 36, in their last 12 league games, with 10 defeats and two draws.

Gilbey made the most of a mistake by rival midfielder Jonsson, to break the deadlock.

The U’s 21-year-old intercepted Jonsson’s mis-placed pass and advanced a few paces before rifling a low drive past keeper Chris Maxwell, from just outside the penalty area.

It was Gilbey’s first goal since the 2-2 draw against Blackpool on the opening day of the season, and his first in 27 appearances.

But Jonsson atoned for his first-half error by volleying Fleetwood back on level terms on the hour mark.

The home side failed to clear Jamie Proctor’s cross, but it was still a cracking finish by Jonsson, who crashed an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net from a narrow angle.

Squads

COLCHESTER UNITED: Kean, Brindley, Wynter, Eastman, Briggs, Massey (sub Bonne, 75), Garvan, Gilbey, Moncur, Sordell, Porter (sub Lee, 78). Unused subs: Parish, Edwards, Elokobi, Wright, Ambrose.

FLEETWOOD TOWN: Maxwell, McLaughlin, Davis, Pond, Bell, Sarcevic, Jonsson, Ryan, Grant, Hunter (sub Matt, 59), Proctor (sub Haughton, 75). Unused subs: Gogic, Jordan, Nirennold, Forbes, Deacon.

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

Attendance:2,493 (40 away fans)