COLCHESTER United were forced to settle for a point tonight after drawing 1-1 with Rochdale, at the JobServe Community Stadium.
The U’s looked like they might be heading for victory after Alan Judge had given them the lead with a wonder strike, early in the second half.
But Conor Grant’s equalizer with 14 minutes remaining rescued Dale a point.
Colchester made four changes to their starting line-up for their game against Rochdale.
Goalkeeper Sam Hornby was handed his debut while there was also a first start for recent signing John Akinde, with Tom Eastman and Owura Edwards recalled to the starting line-up.
Brendan Wiredu and Luke Hannant dropped to the bench, with Shamal George and Luke Chambers both suspended.
The first helped was an even affair, with little in the way of goalmouth action and defenses on top.
However, Colchester generally looked the more threatening and carved out the best chances, in the opening 45 minutes.
The U’s went close in the 20th minute when Akinde picked Jeriel Dorsett’s pocket and advanced towards goal before drilling in a low shot which goalkeeper Joel Coleman saved at his near post.
And Coleman was called into action again just after the half hour mark when he palmed away Freddie Sears’ 20-yard shot, after Akinde’s block had set up the chance.
Rochdale were seldom seen as an attacking force, though Alex Newby proved their danger man and looked threatening at times in a central position, as the sides went in goal-less at the break.
Colchester’s debutant keeper Hornby was forced to make his first meaningful save of the game early in the second half, parrying Newby’s low shot from close range, following Tahvon Campbell’s neat lay-off in the area.
But the U’s took the lead in spectacular circumstances, in the 53rd minute.
Alan Judge spotted keeper Coleman off his line and unleashed a spectacular first-time effort from more than 25 yards that dipped into the net.
It was a superb strike and Colchester immediately went in search of more goals, after that.
Edwards blasted over from close range, while Emyr Huws came even close a few minutes later when he could not keep the ball down from six yards, following Akinde’s header down.
Colchester were forced into a midfield change midway through the second half, with stand-in skipper Cole Skuse forced off through injury and replaced by Wiredu.
And Rochdale got back on level terms with 14 minutes remaining when Conor Grant forced home a low shot from close range, after Corey O’Keeffe had done well to pick him out in the area.
Both sides went for a winner after that and Colchester almost restored their lead soon after when Sears controlled in the area before prodding a shot towards goal that Coleman saved.
Rochdale looked the more likely to score in the closing stages as five minutes of stoppage time were added at the end.
Substitute Corie Andrews was clattered by Dorsett in the area deep into time added on but referee Craig Hicks waves away the U’s penalty protests, as the spoils were shared.
MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Hornby, Tchamadeu, Eastman, Dallison, Kenlock, Skuse (sub Wiredu, 66), Huws, Edwards, Judge, Akinde (sub Andrews, 75), Sears.
Subs (not used): Welch-Hayes, Coxe, Dobra, Hannant, Collins.
U’s man of the match: Emyr Huws.
Rochdale: Coleman, O’Keeffe, O’Connell, Dorsett, Broadbent (sub Dooley, 67), Downing, Kelly, Clark, Campbell (sub Done, 77), Grant, Newby (sub Charman, 58).
Subs (not used): White, Taylor, Odoh, Wade.
Referee: Craig Hicks.
Bookings: Colchester: Skuse (foul, 42). Rochdale: O’Connell (foul, 65).
goals: Colchester: Judge (53). Rochdale: Grant (76).
Attendance: 2,298 (151 Rochdale fans).
