An own goal secured ten-men Accrington Stanley a point at Colchester United as the Reds remain two points away from the Play-Off places.

John Coleman’s side went a man down when defender Brad Hills was sent off for violent conduct on 46 minutes with Stanley trailing 1-0.

But, with ten minutes to go, a Kelvin Mellor cross was turned into his own net by Riley Harbottle for the draw.

Lewis Shipley returned to the starting line-up after injury but Joe Gubbins was missing after coming off in the 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon.

United had the first real chance on 13 minutes as defender Harbottle’s drive was pushed over by Radek Vitek while, on the next attack, striker John Akinde headed just wide.

Stanley put a few decent balls into the box but couldn’t capitalise as chances were few and far between for both sides.

Tom Hopper headed over for Colchester on 36 minutes and they took the lead on 40 minutes.

Noah Chilvers got the ball 25 yards out, weaved his way forward and fired hard and low into the bottom of the net.

Stanley were reduced to ten-men just after the re-start when Norwich loanee Hills was sent off after a tangle with Hopper.

Jake Bickerstaff’s long-range strike was deflected wide just after while, at the other end, Hopper’s glancing header was also off target.

Coleman made a triple substitution on 56 minutes bringing on Dan Martin, Lewis Trickett and Leslie Adekoya.

Cameron McGeehan had two shots both saved by Vitek while Adekoya ran down the left on 71 minutes, took the ball into the area and his fierce shot wasn’t too far off the top corner.

Stanley kept battling and restricting United and, after Coleman had talked about how luck can change a game, got their piece of fortune with the own goal on 80 minutes.

Neither side created a clear-cut chance after that despite seven minutes of added time as Stanley left Essex with a point.

Stanley: Vitek, O’Brien, Hills, Shipley, Mellor, Nolan, B Woods, Conneely (Martin), Leigh, J Woods (Trickett), Bickerstaff (Adekoya)

Subs: McIntyre, Quirk, Pickles, Henderson

Yellow: Mellor

Red: Hills

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