TO win at home and draw away is a solid base for any promotion push - but Town will rarely have to work harder for a point than this.

Murdered for the first half hour by a strong, sharp and inventive Colchester unit, they had goalkeeper Paul Rachubka to thank for even having a chance.

Life was made even harder, too, when they fell behind to George Elokobi's first League goal just four minutes into the second half - but then Town finally got their act together.

Showing all the character which has underpinned their excellent start to the campaign, Town dug in to grab a tremendous breakaway equaliser through fired-up substitute Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

The 24-year-old had been on the pitch only eight minutes as replacement for out-of-touch leading scorer Pawel Abbott when Tom Clarke and Tony Carss both did well to fashion the opening.

It was a borderline decision whether Fletch was onside or not, but there was no question about the quality of his finish.

Racing away from defender Garry Richards, the ex-Lincoln man drew keeper Aidan Davison into making an early dive and, after slipping the ball wide to the left, he scored with an angled left-foot shot which beat the covering clearance from behind the line of ex-Dulwich Hamlet defender Elokobi.

It was a piece of inspiration which prompted Jackson's side to have much the better of the final 25 minutes and, indeed, go closest to winning the game when Andy Booth's 79th-minute header from a Danny Schofield corner crashed out off the bar.

That would have been rough justice on Colchester, however, who showed significant aerial threat from Chris Iwelumo and blistering pace from Tottenham loanee Mark Yeates and lively frontman Gareth Williams.

They were far too hot to handle in the opening period when Jackson's side, looking ponderous and prone to silly mistakes in the aftermath of their fine Carling Cup effort at Blackburn, were fortunate to stay on level terms.

Yeates had already served notice of his speed when Iwelumo pounced on an error by Schofield to send him bursting through the middle of a static defence with seven minutes gone, but Rachubka came to the rescue in magnificent style when blocking with a foot.

Three minutes later, Tom Clarke gave the ball away for Yeates to test Rachubka with another fierce drive and, on 15 minutes, Town somehow survived three great chances in the space of a few seconds.

Greg Halford created the first with a brilliant long-range pass to Iwelumo, who chested the ball down before being denied by the advancing Rachubka, while the follow-up from Williams bounced out off a post.

Even then the danger wasn't done as Halford crossed for Yeates to try a cheeky close-range flick which finished in the hands of the grateful keeper.

Williams again broke through the middle of Town's back line to fire a shot inches wide as the pressure mounted, and it wasn't until Town started passing the ball better after the half-hour mark that they started to make some inroads themselves.

Schofield and Chris Brandon were almost anonymous early on and it was right-back Andy Holdsworth who supplied the crosses from which Booth twice went close with headers.

Schofield had his heels clipped for what appeared a penalty, but Town were just happy to get to the break at 0-0 with a chance to re-group, although Elikobi's header from a corner routine which Jackson had warned about stopped them in their tracks.

Jon Worthington and Carss then started to take more of a hold and Jackson's decision to send on Fletch paid big dividends with that equaliser to reward around 800 travelling fans in a season-high Layer Road crowd of 3,415.

This was not a performance Town will savour, however.

But they at least showed guts and dug in when they weren't playing well to earn a point which may well prove very useful come the end of the season.

Turning Point:

IT has to be the equaliser from Gary Taylor-Fletcher which earned Town a vital point when they weren't at their best.

It came from a lovely turn and pass from Tom Clarke to Tony Carss, who then burst through the middle before playing Taylor-Fletcher in behind the defence. He nipped around the keeper before netting from a tight angle.

Next page: Man of the Match >>>

Man of the Match: Paul Rachubka

DESERTED by his teammates on several occasions, especially in the first half, he responded with outstanding work. Several saves were top drawer and he also kicked well

How they rated:

Paul Rachubka Made fantastic early saves to deny Yeates and Williams to keep Town in the game and did little wrong all match Rating: 9/10

Andy Holdsworth Supplied a couple of decent crosses which Booth couldn't convert. Troubled early on by the pace of Yeates Rating: 6/10

Danny Adams Uncharacteristically fluffed a couple of very good crossing chances but, later, played his part in solid build-ups Rating: 6/10

Tom Clarke Back after ban in place of John McCombe and, after a shaky start, he made some excellent clearances and blocks Rating: 7/10

Nathan Clarke Took half an hour to find his feet and then looked sound. Pushed forward well at times and his throws were useful Rating: 6/10

Danny Schofield Not one of his better days. Didn't get into the game first half. Sent in the corner for Booth's excellent last chance Rating: 5/10

Jon Worthington Had running battles with several of the home midfielders after being booked for a crunching challenge on Yeates Rating: 6/10

Tony Carss Tried his best to get on the ball first half. More prominent in the second with a shot on target and pass to create the goal Rating: 6/10

Chris Brandon Frustrating day. Had little joy trying to help cover Yeates in the first half and had a late shot ruled out for offside Rating: 5/10

Andy Booth Had three headers go close. The last he would score nine times out of 10. Grafted hard at both ends of the pitch Rating: 7/10

Pawel Abbott His best work was a cross for Tony Carss to head over on 21 mins. Not a game he will care to remember this term Rating: 5/10

Verdict on the ref: GOT about the pitch well, but Hertfordshire official Michael Russell appeared too picky on minor things while letting some serious stuff pass him by - and that annoyed both teams.

Inconsistent because he seemed lenient on players he had already booked, with Yeates and Town's Worthington perhaps the most grateful for that.

Colchester: Davison; White (Stockley 73), Chilvers, Richards (Baldwin 87), Elokobi; Halford, Watson, Izzet, Yeates (Garcia 80); Iwelumo, Williams.

Subs not used: Gerken, Guy.