Reds had gone in front after 71 minutes when Kyle McFadzean bundled the ball home from close range as U's defenders appealed for handball.

It was no more than Reds deserved at that stage having hit the woodwork three times through Mike Jones, Nicky Adams and sub Billy Clarke.

But Colchester equalised with another controversial goal three minutes from time when Tony Wordsworth converted a penalty after a foul in the box on Marcus Bean.

Richie said: "I suppose if you had offered me four points from the next two games at five to three on Saturday I would have taken it.

"It's a measure of how far we have come this season that the boys are disappointed that we have come here and not won. I thought we were a bit off the pace in the first half, which might have been a reaction to a tough game and long trip on Saturday, but in the second half the tempo was good and we created chances.

"There was some controversy about our goal but if it was handball it was perhaps evened up at the other end with the penalty."

The boss revealed that Shaun Cooper had to go off early on with a tweaked groin which could keep him out for a couple of weeks but he expects Sergio Torres and Claude Davies to up their work in training this week after three weeks on the sidelines, although it is too early to say whether they will be available for Saturday's fourth v first battle at the Broadfield against unbeaten leaders Tranmere Rovers.