LYLE Taylor's second-half equaliser helped Colchester United claim a point in a 1-1 draw with high-flying Doncaster Rovers this afternoon and extend their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

Taylor struck just after half-time to cancel out a first-half goal from Jordan Gibson, who was sent off with ten minutes remaining after picking up a second yellow card.

The U's came agonisingly close to winning it deep into stoppage-time when Teddy Bishop's fine strike clattered the woodwork, with keeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe beaten.

It was an absorbing contest at the JobServe Community Stadium which ebbed and flowed and could have gone either way, with both sides looking to claim a winner in the closing stages.

Colchester made one change to their starting line-up, with Teddy Bishop recalled in place of Arthur Read who missed out due to a knee injury.

Doncaster started the contest well and almost went ahead in the opening minute when Harry Clifton warmed the hands of Matt Macey with a stinging 20-yard effort that the U's keeper parried away.

And Rovers went close again soon after when Gibson got in behind the U's defence and forced another save from Macey, who was alert at his near post.

Colchester grew into the contest as the first half wore on and began to look threatening, with Lyle Taylor at the heart of most of their attacking moves.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Owura Edwards and Oscar Thorn began to worry the Doncaster defence and Tom Flanagan forced a save from visiting keeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe, although the flag was quickly raised for offside.

But Colchester fell behind in the 40th minute when Gibson lashed home on the volley at the far post, after Mandela Egbo had failed to cut out Jamie Sterry's ball into the area.

It was the first goal the U’s had conceded in more than 12 hours of football and meant that they went in at the break behind.

It was almost 2-0 in the opening minutes of the second half when Macey made a fine save to push away Clifton's fierce effort, after Ironside had pounced on Aaron Donnelly's rare error.

But Colchester were level five minutes after the break when Taylor showed great composure to fire past Sharman-Lowe from Oscar Thorn's cross to equalise, having started the move from just inside the Doncaster half.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Doncaster looked for an instant response and Macey made a brilliant one-handed save to somehow push away Joe Ironside's header, soon after the equaliser.

Back came Colchester and Thorn wriggled past James Maxwell in the area before shooting over the bar while at the other end, Macey dived full stretch to push away Gibson's free-kick as the contest ebbed and flowed.

Doncaster were reduced to ten men in the 80th minute when Gibson was sent off after receiving a second yellow card and soon after, Jack Payne's free-kick was pushed away at his near post at full stretch by Sharman-Lowe as the U's pushed for a winner.

Bishop's excellent strike hit the woodwork in the dying moments, as the spoils were shared.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Egbo, Flanagan, Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell, Bishop, Thorn (sub Gordon, 74), Payne, Edwards, Taylor.

Substitutes (not used): Kelleher, Goodliffe, Anderson, Sandah, Hopper, Smith.

Doncaster Rovers: Sharman-Lowe, Maxwell (sub Fleming, 87), Olowu, Broadbent (sub Anderson, 87), Molyneux (sub Hurst, 77), Gibson, Clifton, Bailey, Ironside (sub Sharp, 76), McGrath.

Substitutes (not used): Kelly, Close, Lawlor.

Referee: James Durkin.

Goals: Colchester: Taylor (51). Doncaster: Gibson (40).

Bookings: Colchester: Taylor (foul, 45), Thorn (foul, 60), Iandolo (foul, 90). Doncaster: Sterry (foul, 32), Bailey (foul, 41), Gibson (foul, 70).

Sending off: Gibson (two bookable offences, 80).

Attendance: 5,729 (536 Doncaster fans).