Kurtis Guthrie made his long-awaited return to action as Colchester United under-23s drew 0-0 with Millwall under-23s tonight.

Guthrie has been out since February with an ankle injury but returned to the pitch in the U's Professional Development League Two clash with the Lions, coming on as a second-half for Courtney Senior at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The former Forest Green Rovers man played for the final half hour of the game and the likes of Cole Kpekawa and Tommy O'Sullivan also featured, as Wayne Brown's side played out a goal-less draw.

Kristian Brymora and Mason Saunders-Henry both went close for Millwall early on before Colchester registered their first meaningful effort just after the half hour through Louis Dunne who was denied by Millwall keeper Ryan Sandford.

Sandford was in action again in the second half to foil JJ Wilson and the U's came even closer to scoring just after the hour through Eoin McKeown, whose effort rattled the crossbar.

Guthrie made his entrance soon after and was denied a goal on his comeback by Sandford while Will Wright volleyed over in the closing stages for Colchester, as the spoils were shared.

Colchester United under-23s starting line-up: Wilks, W. Wright, Sturgess (sub Wilson, 15), Diaz Wright, Kpekawa, Jefferies, Lewis, O'Sullivan (sub Allarakhia, 79), McKeown, Dunne, Senior (sub Guthrie, 63).

Subs (not used): Warde, Kurasik.