Colchester Res 2, Norwich Res 2: David Strihavka struck twice as City Reserves maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a draw at a rain-soaked Layer Road.

Colchester Res 2, Norwich Res 2

David Strihavka struck twice as City Reserves maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a draw at a rain-soaked Layer Road.

The Canaries allowed their hosts to come back at them on two occasions, and were themselves guilty of missing a hatful of chances, with the state of the pitch played a large part.

Manager Ricky Martin started the game with a twin strike-force of Strihavka and Chris Brown - the same pairing that finished the ill-fated game at Loftus Road on Monday. There was also a place in the starting line-up for Luke Chadwick, who laid on the opening goal on 17 minutes by slipping a delightful ball through for Strihavka.

The lead lasted four minutes before the home side hit back, when Thomas Webb raced clear to fire a ball past Steve Arnold.

Chadwick then missed a golden opportunity to put City back in front when he shot wide from a couple of yards - a fate which also befell Julien Brellier.

Strihavka claimed his second on the hour mark when he finished a good move involving Robert Eagle.

But with four minutes left referee Mr Stewart stunned City when he awarded Colchester a penalty after Matthew Halliday made minimal contact with Elito, allowing Anthony Wordsworth to convert from the penalty spot to level the scores.

t Colchester: Davison, White, Griffiths, Devaux, Connolly, Watson (Oakley 58minutes), Elito, Guttridge, Quintyn (McLeod 56), Webb, Wordsworth, Subs not used: Speed, Smelt, Hammond.

t Norwich City: Arnold, Cave-Brown, Bexfield, Lathrope, McLean, Halliday, Chadwick, Brellier, R Kelly, Strihavka, Brown, Eagle. Subs not used: Daley, Yong, Matthews.