The U's reserves drew for the sixth time in seven games on Tuesday afternoon, as an Adam Bailey-Dennis equaliser sealed a point for Joe Dunne's side.

A quiet first half saw neither team able to break the deadlock, before both notched once after the break as the U's and the Hatters drew for the second time this season.

And, in a second half with a number of decent opportunities, it was a surprise that there was no repeat of the 3-3 draw down at Kenilworth Road.

After Stephen O'Leary smacked a shot just wide before half time, the U's came close to scoring the first of the game four minutes after the restart.

Jamie Guy laid the ball back to Fabian Quintyn and his shot clipped the left hand post and went away for a corner after taking a deflection. From the set piece, George Elokobi acrobatically forced a save out of Marlon Beresford.

Drew Talbot was the main threat for the visitors and he twice went close around the hour mark, earning two good saves out of Mark Cousins.

His third attempt was the best of the lot, though, as sharp control saw him bring the ball down before volleying into the top corner past the despairing dive of the Colchester keeper.

The U's almost had an instant retort as Jamie Guy fired wide from ten yards out after beating his man but it was McVeigh who was next to go close for the visitors.

His attempted lob from just outside the box saw Cousins make a good save as the U's shot stopper kept the deficit to one.

Substitute Russell Malton then headed just wide not long after his introduction for Nathan Speed as the U's looked for a path back into the game.

Home hearts were in mouths with nine minutes left, though, as Talbot was felled by Bela Balogh in the box, but the referee waved away penalty appeals.

And that decision proved crucial as the U's pulled level with a minute to go.

The ball found its way to Adam Bailey Dennis on the edge of the box and he sidefooted home to earn the U's a draw.