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GOAL . . . Rhys Murphy

ATHLETIC 1, COLCHESTER 1

Check out Monday's full match report:

RHYS Murphy was on the score sheet for the second time in as many games for Athletic, but a late Chris Porter goal meant David Dunn's side were denied a second home league win of the season in a dire spectacle at SportsDirect.com Park.

Athletic took the lead after five minutes with a goal translated with perfection from training ground to match day. Mike Jones faked a cross from a free-kick to the right, played a pass instead to Danny Philliskirk and his first-time ball found Murphy who controlled and finished with aplomb.

The home side didn't always look comfortable in a dour battle in the first half. Gavin Massey forced a low catch from Athletic goalkeeper David Cornell and as Dunn's men sat deep, George Moncur also struck an effort which took a deflection and travelled a couple of feet wide.

Athletic almost doubled their lead on 52 minutes. Jake Cassidy got in front of his marker to power in a header from a Jones free-kick and Elliott Parish tipped sharply over, before then saving a back-post Brian Wilson header.

Colchester defender Tom Eastman completely missed his header when well-placed all alone in the middle of the area around the hour mark.

Marvin Sordell blasted way over the top after fending off Timothee Dieng and the visitors pressed for a leveller.

Disaster then struck on 81 minutes for Athletic. A corner cheaply conceded was swung in and Cornell missed it, the ball landing on Porter's head to convert from inside the six-yard box.

Darren Ambrose crashed a shot against the bar as Athletic rocked and boos rang out from the home support at the final whistle.