Chesterfield dominated the first half and could have had more than a one-goal lead going into the break. Louie Marsh’s 20-yard effort clipped the top of the bar and he later rolled a shot wide.

Dilan Markanday had a 25-yard effort saved by Thimothee Lo-Tutala and Josh Koroma’s shot from inside the area was deflected narrowly wide.

The opening goal came in the 29th minute when Markanday cut inside from the left and found the net with a confident finish.

Marsh had an effort blocked on the line while Frankie Terry made a goal-line clearance and Liam Mandeville shot wide as the hosts looked for a second goal.

Colchester grabbed an unlikely equaliser in the 82nd minute when substitute Ben Perry met Oscar Thorn’s cross from the right with a close-range header.

And substitute Leon Chiwome struck the bar in time added on when he looked certain to score.