COLCHESTER United secured another impressive point on their travels following a 0-0 draw at Fleetwood Town this afternoon.

But the U's will be disappointed they did not claim victory, after producing an impressive performance at Highbury Stadium and almost claiming a last-gasp winner through Oscar Thorn.

Colchester notched up their ninth draw of the League Two season but their point came at a cost, after both Ben Goodliffe and Harry Anderson departed injured before half-time.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made one change to his starting line-up.

Jack Payne was skipper after being recalled to the U’s side in place of Lyle Taylor, who missed out due to an ankle injury suffered in the win at Grimsby Town.

Colchester made a bright start and enjoyed the bulk of the possession, in the opening stages.

But Fleetwood carved out the game’s first meaningful effort on goal in the tenth minute when U’s goalkeeper Matt Macey pulled off a fine save to deny Liam Shaw from close range, diving to his left to push the ball away after James Bolton had headed on Mackenzie Hunt's throw in the area.

Colchester looked solid and compact but suffered an injury blow just before the half hour when winger Harry Anderson was forced off with what looked like a groin injury and replaced by JK Gordon.

The U’s survived a Fleetwood penalty appeal soon after when Mark Helm went down under Jamie McDonnell's challenge in the area but the referee waved play on.

However, Colchester were impressive as the half wore on and Ellis Iandolo's first-time left-foot effort spun just over the bar, after the hosts fail to clear a corner.

Colchester were dealt another injury setback late in the first half when Ben Goodliffe was forced off and replaced by Fiacre Kelleher.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

But Danny Cowley’s side finished the first half strongly with several set pieces, with Payne and Owura Edwards both going close in time added on.

The U’s probably didn’t want the half-time whistle to go and Fleetwood carved out the first opportunity of the second half, with Helm's fierce 25-yard effort parried away by Macey ten minutes after the break.

But Fleetwood began to look threatening after the interval, with Helm's fierce 25-yard effort parried away by Macey early in the second half.

And the Cod Army attacker went even closer soon after when his deflected effort bounced off the crossbar and away for a corner.

Fleetwood goalkeeper David Harrington was forced to claw Payne's in-swinging corner away from underneath his own crossbar with 15 minutes remaining.

Colchester had a great chance to win the game with the last kick of the match but substitute Thorn spooned his shot over from close range after Samson Tovide had helped down Ellis Iandolo's header, as the spoils were shared.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Egbo, Goodliffe (sub Kelleher, 45), Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell, Read, Anderson (sub Gordon, 29), Payne, Edwards (sub Thorn, 75), Tovide.

Substitutes (not used): Hunt, Woodyard, Bishop, Smith.

Fleetwood Town: Harrington, Shaw, Johnston, Bolton, Graydon, Hunt (sub Phoenix, 76), Helm, Major (sub Harratt, 67), Virtue, Potter, Coughlan (sub Broom, 76).

Substitutes (not used): Lonergan, Bennett, Hughes, Patterson, Lynch.

Referee: Darren Drysdale.

Bookings: Colchester: Macey (unsporting behaviour, 71). Fleetwood: Mayor (foul, 61), Shaw (foul, 69).

Sending off: None.