The Blues picked up their first draw of the campaign following a goalless encounter in Essex.
Mandela Egbo had the game’s first chance on 5 minutes, latching onto the end of a cross from a free-kick, before seeing his attempt go off target.
Moments later, Samson Tovide found himself through on goal following great build-up play from the hosts, but his effort went wide.
Josh Vela had a brilliant chance to put the visitors ahead against the early run of play, Matt Macey was equal to it to make the required stop.
The longer the first-half went on, the more control the Blues took - Luke Armstrong came close on two occasions, but was unable to get the vital touch on either.
Harrison Biggins’ shot from distance then flew well over Macey’s goal on 27 minutes.
The game then entered a lull with neither side creating a good chance.
Before Terell Thomas came so close to heading United into the lead after Cameron Harper delivered a top quality corner. The defenders nodded attempt landed just wide on the stroke of half-time.
HALF-TIME: Colchester 0-0 United
It was a quiet start to the second-half in terms of chances with neither team wanting to push too much that would leave them exposed at the back.
Harry Lewis made a superb save to deny the U’s the opener ten minutes into the second 45. Jack Payne’s effort deflected off another play on its way into the area forcing United’s shot-stopper to re-adjust and show brilliant reactions to keep the contest level.
Close to the hour-mark, United started to grow in confidence again, winning two corners in as many minutes, but were still unable to break the deadlock.
Lewis made another top save on 67 minutes, this time denying Lyle Taylor after the forward found himself through on goal following a free-kick, before Payne arguably had the best chance of the whole game which also couldn't find the net.
Ellis Iandolo came to Colchester’s rescue on 70 minutes, making a last ditch challenge to prevent Carlisle’s skipper Charlie Wyke from pulling the trigger.
In the final seven minutes of regular time, Lewis made another remarkable stop to keep the score level.
JK Gordon lashed over the bar from the edge of the area in the hosts’ final chance of the contest.
Before United almost stole all three points with the final touch of the game, Harper’s corner was met inside the box and came agonisingly close to being bundled into Macey’s net.
FULL-TIME: Colchester 0-0 United
Teams:
Colchester - Macey, Iandolo, Flanagan ©, Tovide, Payne, Hopper (46’ Gordon), Read, Egbo (46’ Kelleher), Hunt, Woodyard (77’ McDonnell), Taylor
Unused subs - Smith, Anderson, Scully, Donnelly
United - Lewis, Davies (65’ Robinson), Harper, Thomas, Lavelle, Wyke ©, Biggins, Vela, Neal, Mellish (72’ Barclay), Armstrong (65’ Sadi)
Unused subs - Breeze, Ellis, Dudik, O’Donoghue
Match officials:
Referee - Thomas Parsons
Assistant Referee - Jonathon Block
Assistant Referee - David Harrison
Fourth Official - Marc Wilson
Attendance:
4,392 (352 away)
