Rovers Under-21s drew 1-1 away to Colchester United in their second Premier League Cup game.

Mike Sheron’s side defeated the Essex outfit 2-1 at home back in September, but were forced to settle for a share of the spoils on this occasion as Paul Murphy-Worrell’s early opener was cancelled out by trialist Amine Sassi before the break.

In a lively opening, Adam Khan made a smart save to deny Daniel Banjoko early on, before Harrison Chamberlain kept out Harley O’Grady-Macken’s effort at the other end.

Rovers then opened the scoring on nine minutes when Lewis Bell’s left-wing cross was converted by Murphy-Worrell for his first goal at Under-21s level.

Colchester battled back and almost equalised midway through the half when Ollie Godziemski set up Hakeem Sandah, but he was denied by a superb save from Khan.

Four minutes before half-time and the hosts were back on level terms when Sassi cut in from the right and scored with a fine left-foot shot.

Matt Jay's free-kick was then tipped clear by Khan, as the two teams went in level at the break.

Rovers applied plenty of pressure at the start of the second half and rang the changes just past the hour mark as they looked to restore their advantage.

But Chamberlain made a smart save at one end and Khan kept out Rashaad Drysdale’s chip at the other, as the two teams had to settle for a point apiece.

COLCHESTER: Chamberlain, Akor, Abidkun (Drysdale 59), Edwards, Newby, Trialist A, Jay (Kokoshi 86), Banjoko (Martin 86), Sandah, Trialist B, Godziemski.
Subs not used: Beresford, Green.

Goal: Sassi (39)
Booked: Sassi, Adeyeye, Sandah

ROVERS: Khan, Houghton, R. Doherty, Davies, Powell, Murphy-Worrell (Stritch 63), Caddick, Dunn, O’Grady-Macken (Boggan 79), Bell (Leatherbarrow 63), Tyjon (Biniek 63).
Subs not used: Wolsoncroft.

Goal: Murphy-Worrell (9)
Booked: O’Grady-Macken, Powell

Report: Colchester United Under-21s 1-1 Rovers Under-21s