Colchester United continued their undefeated pre-season run with a hard fought draw at Dagenham and Redbridge.

The U's, minus one or two key players, looked to be heading for their second win thanks to a 48th minute glancing header from central defender David Green. But the Ryman League Premier Division outfit, managed by former Heybridge Swifts boss Garry Hill, hit back to force a 1-1 draw with a 78th minute equaliser via Paul Cobb.

U's former Spurs keeper Simon Brown turned in yet another fine performance against a Daggers squad that included former U's favourite Robbie Reinelt.

Braintree Town suffered their second friendly defeat - but went down guns blazing in a real thriller with Nationwide League Second Division side Cambridge United.

The Iron eventually lost 5-3, but only after striker Ian Brown had lit up Cressing Road with a scintillating hat-trick. Cambridge led 2-0 and 3-1 - but Braintree refused to lay down and fought back to level the scores at 3-3.

The superior fitness of the professional side eventually showed in the last few minutes and Cambridge scored twice to wrap up their victory.

Heybridge warmed up for last night's big match with West Ham by beating a Norwich City side 3-1.

On the mark for the Swifts, who at one stage trailed the Canaries, were Simon Parker, Nicky Simpson and Adam Gillespie.

Meanwhile Wivenhoe entertained Ipswich Wanderers on their training pitch, the first friendly the Ryman League Division Two side have played this season.

Despite leading 2-1 at one stage of the first half the Dragons went down 4-2, Bradley Hipkin and Jason Clewely were the men on the mark. Wivenhoe and Heybridge play each other on Saturday at Wivenhoe's Broad Lane ground, kick-off 3pm.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.