COLCHESTER United lost a two-goal lead but still gained a worthy point after finishing a pulsating match with 10 men against visiting Charlton Athletic.
By Carl Marston
Colchester United 2 Charlton Athletic 2
COLCHESTER United lost a two-goal lead but still gained a worthy point after finishing a pulsating match with 10 men against visiting Charlton Athletic.
The U's built up a healthy lead, thanks to two goals in a six-minute spell. Mark Yeates broke the deadlock by crashing home a shot after an excellent pass from Teddy Sheringham in the 32nd minute, and Kevin Lisbie then doubled the lead with a sweet header from Johnnie Jackson's corner.
Lisbie celebrated in style following a precious goal against his old club - he had spent 11 years as a professional at Charlton.
However, the Londoners came storming back. Bulgarian striker Svetoslav Todorov pulled a goal back in first-half injury-time, after benefiting from Chris Iwelumo's flick-on.
And it was Iwelumo, a former Layer Road hero, who became the bad guy when he took a tumble under a challenge from Matthew Connolly, which ended with the U's defender being sent off for a professional foul on 55 minutes.
It looked bleak for the U's when Chinese attacking midfielder Zheng Zhi levelled the scores at 2-2 in the 73rd minute, but if anything it was 10-man Colchester who looked the more likely side to steal a late winner.
In the end, a draw was just about the right result, though the U's will be disappointed to have conceded a two-goal advantage.
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