COLCHESTER United battled to a hard-earned 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Chesterfield tonight.

But the U's were disappointed that the point they gained at the SMH Group Stadium was not three, after Will Grigg's 64th-minute controversial equaliser for the Spireites.

Colchester led through Jack Payne's early opener when Grigg turned in Darren Oldaker's low drive and despite the U's strong protestations to the officials for offside, the goal was allowed to stand.

Nevertheless, birthday boy Danny Cowley will have been pleased with a much-improved performance from his side, who showed so much more intensity and energy to the flat display witnessed against Cheltenham Town, three days earlier.

Colchester boss Cowley made five changes to his starting line-up.

Oscar Thorn, recalled from his loan spell at Chelmsford City at the weekend, was handed his first-ever start for the U’s as was Forest loanee Jamie McDonnell, while Ben Goodliffe, Aaron Donnelly and Tom Hopper, who captained the side, were all recalled.

Tom Flanagan, Fiacre Kelleher, Arthur Read and Lyle Taylor dropped to the bench, while Samson Tovide missed out due to injury.

There was a light show before kick-off and Colchester made a dazzling start.

Hopper's glancing header from JK Gordon's pacy cross from the left sailed straight at keeper Max Thompson, in the third minute.

And the U’s were ahead, two minutes later.

Thorn did well to keep possession in the area against Lewis Gordon and pick out Jack Payne, who drilled a low first-time shot past Thompson and inside the near post.

Chesterfield responded well to the setback and came a lick of paint away from equalising, in the 13th minute.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Colchester goalkeeper Matt Macey did brilliantly to tip James Berry's magnificent free-kick onto the underside of the crossbar, with the ball bouncing back down the right side of the line for the U’s before Hopper hacked it away for a corner.

Macey was called into action again less than a minute later, doing well to tip Goodliffe's backward header over for a corner following Berry’s dangerous ball into the area.

The hosts continued to threaten; Dilan Markanday's fired a low shot into the side netting at the near post, after being picked out in the area by Berry’s pass.

And just after the half hour, Macey made a good save to push Darren Oldaker’s fierce shot away for a corner at his near post, after the Chesterfield man had exchanged passes with Markanday and burst into the area.

But Colchester, organised out of possession, stood firm in the first half and went in at the break ahead and they almost doubled their lead seven minutes after half-time when Thorn lashed wide from a good position with only Thompson to beat, after being picked out by Payne in the area.

(Image: Richard Blaxall)

Payne curled a free-kick from 20 yards just before the hour but Chesterfield equalised in the 64th minute through Will Grigg, who directed home Oldaker's low shot through a crowded area.

Colchester were livid that the goal was allowed to stand with Grigg appearing to be in an offside position but their protests fell on deaf ears, with both Danny and Nicky Cowley booked.

With the wind in their sails, Chesterfield pushed for a winner and Macey made a good save at his near post to divert substitute Armando Dobra's shot away for a corner.

Dobra wastefully sent her downward header from six yards over the bar as the clock ticked down and substitute Harry Anderson made a superb headed clearance inside his own six-yard box in the last few seconds, as the spoils were shared.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Hunt, Goodliffe, Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell (sub Taylor, 80), Payne, Woodyard, Gordon (sub Anderson, 76), Thorn (sub Egbo, 80), Hopper.

Substitutes (not used): Flanagan, Kelleher, Read, Smith.

Chesterfield: Thompson, Naylor, Araujo, Oldaker, Berry (sub Dobra, 67), Gordon, Daley-Campbell, Markanday (sub Jacobs, 88), Metcalfe (sub Mandeville, 67), Banks, Grigg (sub Madden, 80).

Substitutes (not used): Grimes, Colclough, Rinaldo.

Goals: Colchester: Payne (6). Chesterfield: Grigg (64).

Referee: Dale Baines.

Bookings: Colchester: Goodliffe (foul, 11), Payne (foul, 75), Taylor (unsporting behaviour, 90). Chesterfield: Oldaker (foul, 90), Dobra (unsporting behaviour, 90).

Attendance: 7,465 (208 U’s fans).