Colchester United were denied a rare away victory at the death last night after conceding a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Grimsby Town.

It had looked like the U’s would secure a first win on their travels this season, after Kyel Reid had struck early in both halves.

But with time running out, Jamille Matt was fouled in the area by Ryan Jackson and Sam Jones converted from the spot, to scupper Colchester’s hopes of a first win at Blundell Park since 1979.

McGreal made three changes to his starting line-up, switching to a 4-4-2 formation.

Brandon Comley was recalled in midfield against the club he spent time on loan at last season, while Mikael Mandron returned from suspension in attack and Reid made his first start in five league matches after recovering from a hip problem.

Tom Lapslie missed out through suspension and Tom Eastman sat the game out with a hamstring injury, while leading scorer Sammie Szmodics was among the substitutes for the U’s.

Colchester made the perfect start when they went ahead after five minutes.

After Reid’s corner had initially been palmed out by keeper James McKeown, the U’s attacker regained possession and drilled a low 20-yard shot through a crowd of players and past McKeown, to give the visitors the lead.

However, the U’s were ahead for less than two minutes.

JJ Hooper latched onto a long defensive pass and barged his way past Ryan Inniss in the area, before drilling decisively past Colchester keeper Sam Walker.

It prompted McGreal to turn away in disgust after seeing his side surrender their advantage so quickly after going ahead and Grimsby sensed another goal after that, with Martyn Woolford’s speculative 25-yard effort flying just over for the hosts.

But Reid curled a free-kick over for Colchester and then hit another set-piece straight at McKeown soon after, before sending in a delicious delivery that Brandon Hanlan wastefully failed to connect with from six yards.

The contest entered a scrappy phase after that as it meandered towards half-time, fragmented by the frequent shrill of referee Darren Drysdale’s whistle.

But Colchester received a big let off just before half-time when Sikiri Dembele’s low shot rattled the inside of a post, as the sides went in at the break level.

The mist descended on Blundell Park after half-time and Grimsby went close again when Walker did well to save Woolford’s powerful goalbound effort at his near post.

But Colchester regained their lead just before the hour through Reid, who turned brilliantly in the area before curling a superb shot past McKeown and into the far post.

Colchester made a double change with 20 minutes to go, sending on Szmodics and Cameron James for Hanlan and Reid and switching to a 3-4-2-1 formation.

But the unfortunate Szmodics was on the field for barely five minutes before picking up an injury and being stretchered off and replaced by Sean Murray.

And with time ticking down, Matt was dragged down in the area by Jackson and fellow sub Jones netted from the spot to equalise for Grimsby and prevent the U’s from securing a big away win.