Colchester United 2, Crawley Town 2: Reds maintain unbeaten record under interim manager Lewis Young with draw at U's

The Reds have now gone four games without defeat since Young took temporary charge 16 days ago.

Alex Newby opened the scoring for Colchester on 20 minutes before Crawley’s Ashley Nadesan bagged his fourth league goal in three games to equalise.

James Tilley struck in the first minute of the second half to put the Reds ahead, but Junior Tchamadeu struck back for the U’s on 62 minutes to see the points shared.

The draw sees Crawley rise to 19th in League Two, now three points clear of the relegation zone.

The Reds were forced into an early substitution inside 15 minutes. Ex-Crawley Town striker John Akinde volleyed over from two yards under great pressure from Dion Conroy, but the defender crashed to the turf and signalled for the physio.

The 26-year-old returned to the field after receiving on-field treatment, but he couldn’t continue and was replaced by towering centre-half Ludwig Francillette.

The Reds’ difficult start to the game continued when the U’s opened the scoring. Newby did well to find space on the edge of the box, before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.

But Crawley were level on the stroke of half-time. Returning skipper George Francomb fired a pinpoint cross into the area to Nadesan, who firmly planted his header past Colchester keeper Sam Hornby.

The Reds then turned the game on its head early in the second half. Tom Nichols did well to set up Tilley who fired home.

But the U’s restored parity just after the hour mark. Tchamadeu, who had bombed forward from right-back, cut inside and coolly finished past David Robson from outside the area.

Crawley visit seventh-placed Bradford City this Saturday hoping to continue their excellent form under Young.

Crawley Town: Robson, Francomb (Jenks 59’), Conroy (Francillette 13’), Craig, Tsaroulla, Tilley, Hessenthaler, Powell, Fellows (Telford 69’), Nadesan, Nichols.

Unused: Davis, Oteh, Khaleel, Balcombe.

Referee: Paul Howard

Attendance: 2,931