Barrow manager Pete Wild asked for a response from his side after a 5-1 mauling at Carlisle in mid-week – and he got it.
Indeed he almost got a win but Colchester snatched a point from a 1-1 draw with an equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Substitute Kwesi Appiah was at the far post to slot the ball home after John Akinde’s effort had been cleared off the line.
Barrow had taken the lead after 57 minutes when Ben Whitfield, so often the creator, was the finisher when he got on the end of Rory Feely’s deep cross at the far post.
On chances Colchester probably felt aggrieved to be behind as, in the first-half, a Tom Hopper header from Connor Wood’s cross hit the inside of a post while Barrow keeper Paul Farman did well to keep out an effort from Noah Chilvers.
The Bluebirds best effort in the opening 45 minutes had come very early on when a fine header from Niall Canavan was well saved by Kieran O’Hara.
Colchester had the first chance to level matters from the penalty sport after Farman had fouled Akinde in the 66th minute but the Barrow keeper made amends by saving Akinde’s spot kick.
The Us looked to be in soon afterwards when they had another great opportunity but Tom Hopper fired wide with only Farman to beat.
