Sheffield United 2 Colchester United 2DEBUTANT Clive Platt rescued a battling point for Colchester United, thanks to a splendid header in the 89th minute of a see-saw contest at Sheffield United.

By Carl Marston

Sheffield United 2 Colchester United 2

DEBUTANT Clive Platt rescued a battling point for Colchester United, thanks to a splendid header in the 89th minute of a see-saw contest at Sheffield United.

The U's twice came from behind in the second half to force a deserved draw against a Blades side who were playing in the Premier League only three months earlier.

Their £4m signing, James Beattie, broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, only for Kevin McLeod to tap home Mark Yeates' low cross within 60 seconds for a surprise equaliser.

The Blades thought they had won this opening day clash, when substitute Michael Tonge rammed home an unstoppable low drive on 82 minutes, but they hadn't bargained for Platt, who rose unmarked to head home Karl Duguid's late cross.

It was the perfect way for Platt to mark his U's debut, following his £300,000 move from MK Dons this summer.