NORTH End twice had to come from behind to make sure they preserved their unbeaten run in the league as bottom-placed Colchester proved better opposition than their league position indicates.

Only a strike from Kurt Nogan five minutes from time spared North End's blushes in a game that they looked to be dominating, but nearly ended up losing.

On 85 minutes, Bjarki Gunnlaugsson, on for Lee Cartwright, managed to break down the Colchester defence to touch the ball to Kurt Nogan at the far post, who wasted no time in pushing the ball into the corner of the net to ensure North End took a point.

It was a fortunate end to a game which North End had looked to be control of from the off and could have scored within a minute when Teuvo Moilanen's long clearance gave Jon Macken a clear sight of goal. PNE's top scorer, however, dragged his shot across goal and wide of the post.

Despite being pulled all over the park, it was Colchester who took the lead on 16 minutes. A free kick, awarded to Colchester after Michael Jackson has barged into Lua-Lua outside the box, was taken by Aaron Skelton. His shot weaved its way through a forest of legs and past Tepi into the corner of the net.

From then, it was Colchester who were on top, and they could have been 2-0 up had Steve McGavin not fluffed his shot.

Chances for Nogan and Lee Cartwright went begging before North End pulled a goal back 16 minutes into the second half.

Graham Alexander's run resulted in a lovely pass to Macken on the right of the box, prompting him to crash a powerful shot at keeper Simon Brown, which he couldn't hold, spilling the ball to Alex Mathie who volleyed it into the net.

North End were behind just six minutes later, when Lomana Tresor Lua Lua fired a rocket of a shot at goal from a tight angle, which thudded into the net.

Gunnlaugsson arrived for Cartwright, leaving PNE with four strikers on the pitch and it was no surprise when Nogan levelled, although there was an audible sigh of relief as the ball went in.

Mark Rankine said: "I was disappointed not to have won to go into second place, but we worked our socks off and deserved a point. We should have won."

Kelham O'Hanlon said: "We came for three points but did not take our chances and we have to be happy with one."

On the run of ten league games unbeaten, O'Hanlon said: "Yes it's good, but we just have to keep going, it's in February and March that it really starts to take shape.

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