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.