COLCHESTER United squandered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at ten-man Morecambe this afternoon following a dramatic League Two clash.

Strikes from Owura Edwards, Samson Tovide and Lyle Taylor had put the U's on course for victory at the Mazuma Stadium, after Ben Tollitt had given the Shrimps a first-half lead.

But late goals from Callum Jones and substitute Marcus Dackers rescued an unlikely point for Morecambe, who played the whole second half with ten men after defender Luke Hendrie was sent off, after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession in the first half.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made three changes to his starting line-up for the game at Morecambe.

Ben Goodliffe, Alex Woodyard and Owura Edwards all came into the side, with Rob Hunt, Harry Anderson and Arthur Read dropping to the bench.

The first half was a open and at times feisty affair.

Morecambe showed their intent in the seventh minute when Callum Jones' fine strike from 25 yards flew inches wide of the target.

But Colchester went even closer two minutes later through Edwards, whose close-range header was saved by goalkeeper Stuart Moore at point-blank range, following Jack Payne's excellent delivery into the box.

Soon after, Harvey MacAdam's strike from the edge of the area sailed inches over the bar for Morecambe.

But Colchester fell behind in the 17th minute when Ben Tollitt collected Jones’ pass 25 yards out before lashing home a fine strike leaving goalkeeper Matt Macey with no chance.

It was the first goal Morecambe have scored this season and the first time they have been ahead. But their celebrations were soured soon after when their manager Derek Adams was sent off after picking up two bookings in quick succession.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Colchester looked for a response and almost got one when Samson Tovide's rocket of a shot flew inches wide of the far post from Payne's knock down.

The U’s cause was helped when Morecambe right-back Luke Hendrie was booked for a second time and sent off after a foul on Edwards, leaving the hosts down to ten men.

And Colchester quickly capitalised when Edwards nodded in at the far post from Teddy Bishop's precise free-kick for his second goal in as many games, meaning Danny Cowley’s side went in at the break on level terms.

Things got even better for the U's after half-time when they took the lead, in the 49th minute.

After Edwards had delivered the ball into the danger area, Payne's effort was saved but Tovide was there to follow up and score from close range and complete his side's turnaround.

It was almost 3-1 a few minutes later when Payne was denied by Moore at point blank range, after Tovide had picked him out unmarked in the area, while soon after, Ellis Iandolo's fierce effort was well parried away by Moore as Colchester threatened to score again.

And the U's duly scored again in the 63rd minute when Lyle Taylor smashed home his first goal for the club from close range, following Tovide's brilliant pass to pick him out.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

It looked like Colchester were on their way to victory but Morecambe pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute when Callum Jones scored from the spot, after Alex Woodyard had fouled Kayden Harrack in the area.

And Morecambe scored an unlikely equaliser in the 88th minute through substitute Marcus Dackers, whose shot took a big deflection before looping past U's goalkeeper Matt Macey and in.

Colchester came agonisingly close to scoring a late winner when substitute Anthony Scully's effort crashed against the underside of the crossbar and Harry Anderson inexplicably blasted the rebound over an open goal.

Tom Hopper also went close in the dying minutes but the U's had to settle for a third successive draw.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Egbo, Iandolo, Goodliffe (sub Anderson, 77), Flanagan, Woodyard, Bishop (sub Read, 69), Payne, Edwards (sub Gordon, 78), Tovide (sub Hopper, 87), Taylor (sub Scully, 69).

Substitutes (not used): Hunt, Smith.

Morecambe: Moore, Hendrie, Lewis, Stott, Macadam (sub Millen, 46), Williams, Lewis, Songo’o (sub Harrack, 81), Tollitt (sub Slew, 70), Jones, Angol (sub Dackers, 61).

Substitutes (not used): Hope, Burgoyne.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham).

Goals: Colchester: Edwards (43), Tovide (49), Taylor (64). Morecambe: Tollitt (17), Jones (83), Dackers (88).

Bookings: Morecambe: Angol (foul, 33), Hendrie (foul, 37; 43).

Sending off: Adams (Morecambe boss, two bookings, 24). Hendrie (two bookings, 43)

Attendance: 2,754 (200 U's fans).