Johnnie Jackson's deflected free-kick - a replica of last Saturday's goal against Sheffield United - helped the U's to a point at Turf Moor this afternoon.

Colchester United picked up what might be an excellent point in deepest Lancashire this afternoon as Johnnie Jackson's deflected free kick saw them draw one all with Burnley. Andy Cole put the home side up on his debut for The Clarets, but the lead lasted just sixteen minutes before Jackson restored parity.United ensured that the second half was played out with incident with the first shot on target coming in the 92nd minute.

Geraint Williams was forced in to one change thanks to Mark Yeates' dislocated shoulder which should also keep him out of Tuesday night's important home game against Preston. Kevin McLeod replaced Yeates with Lisbie and Clive Platt in attack.

Burnley named Andy Cole in their starting eleven for the first time - I doubt many pleasantries were exchanged with ex-Manchester United team-mate Sheringham - while veteran defender David Unsworth was at centre-half.

After a quiet opening quarter of an hour, Elliott sneeked in after a fortunate rebound off John White but failed to get the connection he wanted and saw Gerken make a relatively simple save. Three minutes later, and the home side were thankful for the woodwork to save them. Platt started the move off with a ball to Jackson who in turn found McLeod down the left. The former Rochdale man continued his run in to the box and connected well enough with McLeod's cross but hit the woodwork instead of tucking it home past Jensen.

That miss looked even worse as on 21 minutes, the home side took the lead. Chris Coyne was guilty of heading the ball straight to Andy Cole and with a mass of goals to his belt at Premiership level, he was hardly likely to miss from six yards. There was a further blow in 25 minutes when Kevin Lisbie limped off with an ankle knock to be replaced by Scott Vernon.

Since the goal though, United took charge of the game finding time and space against the veteran backline of David Unsworth and Stanislav Varga. Vernon almost picked out Karl Duguid with a header when he might well have had a go himself while Johnnie Jackson's right foot volley from the edge of the box was straight at Danish goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

On 37 minutes the U's got back in to the game thanks to an exact replica of Johnnie Jackson's goal last weekend. Like against Sheffield United, he struck a free-kick from thirty yards out which took a wicked deflection to leave Jensen stranded, and the ball in to the opposite side of the net to the keeper.

Burnley almost restored their lead two minutes later. A super free-kick from Robbie Blake dipped viciously over the wall but thankfully, his the outside of the post and away to safety. No doubt though, that Geraint Williams would probably be the happier of the two managers at the interval.

The second half was a non-event in every sense of the word with little goalmouth action to entertain the fifteen thousand crowd. Burnley manager Owen Coyle made three changes during the half but none of his replacements were able to shake the game up - though Akinbiyi did play in a nice cross which was just missed by Lafferty.

Williams made one change during the half as Luke Guttridge returned to the side in place of Kevin McLeod and he was there to watch Lafferty cross for Cole at the far post, but the on-loan Sunderland man couldn't make the best of it. The U's best chance of the half came with three minutes to go as Vernon blasted over from 25 yards and, in the second minute of injury time, Randall's bouncing effort was saved by Gerken - the first and only shot on target of the second half.

The point obtained at a ground where the U's usually struggle will be welcome but only if the U's can beat another Lancashire side on Tuesday night as Preston North End visit Layer Road.

Burnley: Brian Jensen, Graham Alexander, Stanislav Varga, David Unsworth, Jon Harley, Wade Elliott, James O'Connor (Mark Randall 73), Joey Gudjonsson (Steve Caldwell 52), Kyle Lafferty, Andy Cole, Robbie Blake (Ade Akinbiyi 61)
Subs not used: John Spicer,and Gabor Kiraly.

Goals: Cole 23

Bookings: None

U's: Dean Gerken, Phil Ifil, Chris Coyne, Adam Virgo, John White, Kevin McLeod (Luke Guttridge 75), Kem Izzet, Karl Duguid, Johnnie Jackson, Kevin Lisbie (Scott Vernon 26), Clive PlattSubs not used: Teddy Sheringham, Kevin Watson, and Mark Cousins

Goals: Jackson 38

Bookings: None

Ref: Steve Bratt 

Attendance: 15376

Photo: Action Images

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