COLCHESTER United drew 1-1 at Leyton Orient before losing out in a penalty shoot-out in their second Bristol Street Motors Trophy Group E match at a rainy Brisbane Road tonight.

The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes to give both sides a point, with Ben Goodliffe heading in a 79th-minute equaliser to cancel out Zech Obiero's first-half opener for the O's, meaning a point for each side.

A penalty shoot-out ensued to decide who would claim the extra point and the O's won 4-2 on spot-kicks, after Arthur Read's penalty was saved by keeper Zach Hemming and Samson Tovide blazed his attempt over.

With Colchester without a game on Saturday, boss Danny Cowley named a strong starting line-up, with Tom Hopper skippering the side.

However, the U’s were without Lyle Taylor, Aaron Donnelly and Jamie McDonnell who are away on international duty while Owura Edwards and Teddy Bishop were still sidelined due to injury and Matt Macey, Tom Flanagan and Ellis Iandolo were rested.

Seventeen-year-old academy scholar James Sasere was on the bench along with Joel Thompson, who was involved in the first-team squad for the first time since his move from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Colchester went close in the opening minutes when Samson Tovide, partnering Anthony Scully in attack, let fly with a fierce 20-yard strike that flew wide of the near post.

But the hosts eased into the contest after that and began to take control.

Orient were almost ahead in the 28th minute when Tom Smith brilliantly turned over Sonny Perkins' close-range effort for a corner, after a sweeping move by the home side, while seconds later the Colchester keeper gathered Darren Pratley's volley into his arms.

Colchester fell behind in the 30th minute when Zech Obiero fired in at the second attempt after his initial effort had been cleared off the line by Rob Hunt, following Jayden Sweeney’s neat ball into his path.

The U’s came a lick of paint from falling further behind seven minutes later when Jordan Graham’s magnificent hooked effort from 20 yards rattled the U’s woodwork, after Smith was left absolutely motionless.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Colchester felt they should have had a penalty just before the break when Tovide tumbled in the box under Jack Simpson's challenge but the visitors went in at the interval behind.

The U's were in the game in the minutes that preceded half-time and Anthony Scully saw a shot straight at goalkeeper Zach Hemming.

But Orient should have doubled their lead just before the hour when Jordan Graham wastefully sidefooted a first-time effort wide of an open goal, after Obiero had picked him out in the area.

Colchester made a double substitution soon after, sending on Fiacre Kelleher and Arthur Read for Alex Woodyard and Harry Anderson and switching to four at the back.

And they got the equaliser they were looking for in the 79th minute when Ben Goodliffe headed home from a yard out, after Payne's magnificent free-kick from more than 20 yards had crashed against the underside of the crossbar and dropped back down.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Tovide was perhaps fortunate to escape with only a yellow card soon after when his challenge sent Orient defender Brandon Cooper sailing into the advertising hoarding, just inside the hosts' half.

The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes and Orient won the resultant shoot-out, to take the extra point.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Smith, Goodliffe, Hunt, Egbo, Woodyard (sub Kelleher, 63), Payne, Hopper, Gordon, Anderson (sub Read, 63), Scully, Tovide.

Substitutes (not used): Edwards, Thompson, Bendle, Sasere, Chamberlain.

Leyton Orient: Hemming, Sweeney, Simpson, Cooper, Ball, Warrington, Pratley (sub Brown, 65), Perkins (sub O'Neill, 74), Jaiyesimi (sub Kelman, 74), Obiero, Graham (sub Agyei, 74).

Substitutes (not used): Donley, Beckles, Phillips.

Goals: Colchester: Goodliffe (79). Leyton Orient : Obiero (30).

Bookings: Colchester: Tovide (foul, 81), Hunt (foul, 88), Egbo (foul, 90).

Referee: Abigail Byrne.