COLCHESTER United under-18s played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Brentford at Park Drive in Maldon, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Substitute Dwayne Campino Do Vale netted a late equaliser for the U's, in an entertaining Professional Development League Two clash.

Michael McSorley headed straight at Colchester keeper Jack Beresford early on while at the other end, Kai Martin's 30-yard effort was saved superbly by goalkeeper, Evan Anderson.

Rash Drysdale's shot was saved at the near post and Elkanah Akor had to make a good block challenge to deny Brentford's Matas Klimas and the U's defender paid the price, having to be replaced on 45 minutes by Alamin Kosoko.

But Colchester went ahead in the second minute of first-half time added on.

A back pass saw Anderson caught in possession by Leo Makatta, who won the tackle and shot into an empty net.

Colchester went in at the break ahead but playing the ball round at the back saw them get caught out early in the second half and a pass to substitute Naeem Giscombe saw him score but he was ruled offside.

Adam Poliakov found support from Konstantin Ivanov down the left but Beresford tipped the ball away for a corner.

And the U's doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half when the unmarked Drysdale netted from a central position, after being picked out by Owen Moore's cross.

Burak Sabah nearly put Drysdsle in on goal before Moore looked to be in but stumbled at the vital moment and as the attack continued, there was a big deflection on Drysdale's shot.

Kai Martin's long-distance was well kept out by the keeper, as Colchester looked for a third.

But then the whole game changed in five dramatic minutes, as Brentford scored three times.

On 72 minutes, Ollie Shield pulled a goal back for the Bees with a looping header.

And a minute later, Poliakov's great run down the left saw him race past Kosoko and from his cut back, Josh Djoro scored with an unstoppable fierce drive into the net.

Brentford then went ahead on 77 minutes through Giscombe, who scored with a cross-shot from McSorley's pass.

It was almost 4-2 when McSorley got onto a long ball forward and was clear of the U's defence but shot straight at Beresford.

And Colchester levelled on 88 minutes through Do Vale, who headed in from a corner.

Both teams had late chance to win it, with Sabah and the U's trialist both denied by Anderson late on as the spoils were shared.

Colchester U18: Jack Beresford, Elkanah Akor (sub Alamin Kosoko), Harvey Duggens, Alfie Newby, Donte Frank, Rash Drysdale, Daniel Banjoko (sub Ronnie Harvey), Kai Martin, Burak Sabah, Owen Moore (sub Dwayne Campino Do Vale), Leo Makatta (sub Trialist). Sub (not used): Trialist.