Colchester United 1 Bradford 1 - match report as U's strike late to claim point

JAMIE McDonnell headed a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to rescue Colchester United a point in a 1-1 draw with Bradford City this afternoon.

McDonnell nodded in at the near post from Arthur Read's corner to secure the U's a draw in the ninth minute of stoppage time, just when it looked like they were heading for defeat at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Bradford had looked like they were heading for victory after Andy Cook's first-half strike until McDonnell struck a late, late equaliser with his first-ever EFL goal.

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

Mandela Egbo and Arthur Read came into the side for the injured Rob Hunt and Alex Woodyard, who dropped to the bench.

There was a welcome return from injury for Owura Edwards, who was among the substitutes.

Colchester, looking for their first league win in eight attempts, started brightly and almost took a seventh minute lead when Harry Anderson showed great skill to beat his man and drive towards goal before unleashing a low cross-shot, that flew just past the far post.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

And the U’s came close again in the 28th minute through Arthur Read, who collected possession just inside the Bradford half before beating three players and trying his luck with a low shot that flashed just wide of the near post.

But Colchester fell behind on the half hour mark.

After giving away an avoidable corner, Bobby Pointon’s effort was half blocked and fell into the path of Cook, who fired a low powerful shot past U’s goalkeeper Matt Macey inside a crowded area.

Bradford went close to doubling their lead ten minutes later when Richie Smallwood's first-time effort from the edge of the area flew narrowly wide of the target, after the U’s had failed to clear the danger.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Just before half-time, Colchester had a big penalty appeal rejected when Lyle Taylor went flying under Neill Byrne’s challenge in the area as the hosts went in at the break behind.

The U’s made a change at half-time, bringing on Samson Tovide for JK Gordon in a bid to gain an equaliser.

Tovide almost got one ten minutes after the break when he raced onto a long ball and got the better of Brad Halliday before firing in a shot that former U's keeper Sam Walker saved at his near post.

Colchester had another penalty appeal rejected just after the hour when Tovide tumbled under Jay Benn's challenge in the area.

Ten minutes were added on at the end and McDonnell headed home deep into stoppage time, to rescue them a point.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Egbo, Flanagan (sub Hopper, 88), Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell, Read, Anderson (sub Thorn, 77), Payne (sub Edwards, 62), Gordon (sub Tovide, 46), Taylor.

Substitutes (not used): Goodliffe, Woodyard, Smith.

Bradford City: Walker, Halliday, Richards (sub Diabate, 84), Byrne, Smallwood, Walker, Sanderson (sub Evans, 77, Pointon (sub Odour, 59), Shepherd, Benn, Cook (sub Oliver, 84).

Substitutes (not used): Smith, Huntington, Doyle.

Goals: Colchester: McDonnell (90). Bradford: Cook (30).

Referee: Carl Brook.

Bookings: Colchester: McDonnell (unsporting behaviour, 64). Bradford: Cook (unsporting behaviour, 70), Shepherd (unsporting behaviour, 71), Richards (unsporting behaviour, 78), Halliday (unsporting behaviour, 82).

Attendance: 4,825 (642 Bradford fans).