Colchester United 2 Charlton Athletic 2

Last updated : 15 September 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Colchester United will feel that they let two points slip after losing a two-goal lead against Charlton in a pulsating Championship encounter.

Even though the hosts had to play the final 35 minutes with just ten men, it was they who created the better chances and were more likely to steal a late winner.

The U's struck twice with their only two shots on target in the first 40 minutes to rock a lack-lustre Charlton back on their heels.

The wily Teddy Sheringham split the visiting defence open as he set up Mark Yeates to score the opening goal in the 32nd minute.

The former Tottenham winger buried the chance to chalk up his second goal of the season.

Six minutes later Charlton old boy Kevin Lisbie put the U's 2-0 up.

Lisbie signed for Colchester over the summer following 11 years as a professional at The Valley, and he was delighted to meet Johnnie Jackson's corner with an accurate header that flew into the roof of the net.

Lisbie celebrated in style but his and Colchester's joy was short-lived as Charlton halved the deficit in first-half stoppage time when Svetoslav Todorov latched on to Chris Iwelumo's flick-on to slot under keeper Dean Gerken.

Colchester were knocked further back when defender Matthew Connolly was sent off in the 55th minute for a professional foul on former U's striker Iwelumo.

The referee did not initially give the decision, but his assistant raised his flag and the result was a red card for Connolly.

Charlton duly equalised in the 73rd minute with substitute Luke Varney heading downwards for Chinese attacker Zhi Zheng to convert from close range.

The visitors could not make their numerical advantage count late on and, in fact, it needed a couple of smart saves from keeper Nicky Weaver to prevent Lisbie from stealing a winner for the U's.