COLCHESTER United's under-21s recovered a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Cole Skuse's Bury Town in a pre-season friendly, writes BRIAN WALLER.

On their trip to the Ram Meadow stadium, Matthew Etherington's side launched a fine comeback after they had trailed 2-0 at the interval to their Pitching In Isthmian League division north hosts.

Bury had nearly taken the lead on five minutes but after a one-on-one with Colchester keeper Ted Collins, the striker shot wide.

However the hosts did go ahead after ten minutes when former Colchester scholar Max Maughan crossed from the right and when the ball dropped, ex-Ipswich midfielder Ed Upson put the chance away.

 

This was duly increased five minutes later as Ethan Mayhew won the ball back and cut it across to former Ipswich Town scholar and Irish youth international Cemal Ramadan, who netted from the edge of the box.

Bury went near again as former U’s player and home trialist Harvey Sayer hit a post from Ramadan's looped cross, as the U's went in at the break trailing by two goals.

Soon after the break there was a very good save by the home keeper.

Then Donell Thomas tried his luck from distance but his effort was deflected wide.

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Marley Marshall Miranda was booked and a minute later and on the hour mark Colchester made a triple change, as T’aizo Marcel Dilaver, Kaleel Green and Bayan Aman replaced Thomas, Miranda and Jake Hutchinson.

The U's pulled a goal back after 69 minutes when a good run down the left from his own half saw Kaan Bennett find the net.

Two minutes later, Bennett went from hero to villain after receiving a straight red card from referee Emily Heaslip, after he said something.

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Upson headed just wide for Bury before with 12 minutes to go, the U's strong penalty appeals were waved by the referee.

However, Colchester eventually equalised with four minutes remaining.

Oscar Thorn crossed for Dilaver to score from the edge of the area, as the spoils were shared.

Colchester United U21s: Ted Collins, Trialist, Matt Yates, Bailey Berry, Jet Dyer, Marley Marshall Miranda, Oscar Thorn, Kennedy Mupomba, Donell Thomas, Jake Hutchinson, Kaan Bennett. Used subs: Bayan Aman, Kaleel Green, T’aizo Marcel Dilaver. Sub (not used): Trialist.