LEWIS Walker snatched a last-gasp equaliser for Braintree Town as they held fellow National League relegation battlers Morecambe to a 1-1 draw.
The resurgent Shrimpers looked to be on course for a third straight win under Jim Bentley, who returned on a rescue mission last month, with Jack Nolan converting an 87th-minute penalty.
Three points would have lifted the hosts above Brackley and out of the bottom four but they were unable to hang on after seven minutes of stoppage time were added.
Five observations following Colchester draw with Crawley Town
Braintree goalkeeper Mason Terry, who had earlier made an outstanding save from Chris Popov, was sent up for a late corner and provided the assist for Walker to salvage a vital point for Steve Pitt's side.
The result leaves the Iron two points adrift of safety, with eight games to go.
Braintree boss Steve Pitt told the club's YouTube channel: "I thought we were absolutely excellent.
"Forget about the nonsense you get on social media and the people that make barbed comments when they have no real knowledge of what we deal with at this football club and how we operate off the pitch.
"That's not criticism; that's just the reality of where we are as a football club.
"But you can't lose faith in what you do and how you do it.
"I've never lost that belief, both in my staff and in my players, despite all of the hurdles and obstacles and issues we have to deal with.
"I thought anybody who took the time and trouble to watch that game of football will bear testament to the fact that Braintree Town should be in this division, at this level.
"We want to be in this division and we will do everything until that last ball is kicked against Tamworth away on April 25 to stay in this division.
Scott Lindsey pleased with dogged Crawley display at Colchester
"People call all sorts of things into question.
"They call me into question, they call my players into question - that's their prerogative.
"But at the end of the day, if you've taken the time and trouble to watch that game of football today, you'll know that we were well worth a point, if not more and you'll have seen all the character in the world, particularly with the setbacks so late.
"It was a penalty, I don't deny that.
PLAYER RATINGS: How Colchester fared in their draw with Crawley
"But I thought the character we showed before the goal was immense but the character we showed after that was unbelievable.
"I've just said to each and every one of those players that if that's the benchmark and we achieve those levels in the next eight games, we've got every chance of being in this division and being here because I believe Morecambe will be in this division as well, next season."
Share