Cheltenham Town drew 1-1 with Colchester United in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday.
Luke Norris put the visitors ahead in the first half with a clever finish, with Conor Thomas levelling from the penalty spot at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.
Both sides remain three points apart in the table, and it showed in what was a close encounter with not many clear-cut chances.
The home side started on top and hit the crossbar in the fifth minute, Charlie Raglan rising highest to head Chris Clements corner kick onto the framework.
Colchester attacking-midfielder Kwame Poku tried his luck from the edge of the area in the 18th minute but was denied by the outstretched leg of Ben Tozer.
Colchester took the lead when Norris got on the end of a long, raking pass by Tom Eastman out from defence that made its way all the way into the area and the forward just lofted it past Scott Flinders for the lead.
Raglan came close again from a set-piece, inches away from connecting with Chris Hussey’s in-swinging free-kick.
Hussey forced a reaction save from Dean Gerken with a great volley from outside the area, and Cheltenham came close moments later when Jonte Smith’s header flew high and wide from six yards out.
And in an action-packed end to the first half, Jake Doyle-Hayes had a shot from range that dropped just wide of the right-hand post.
Colchester were next to go close when Courtney Senior raced through on goal, shooting and beating Flinders, but also missing the target.
The Robins had another big chance to equalise when Alex Addai got on the end of Doyle-Hayes’ cross to head the ball straight at Gerken.
Reuben Reid almost made an instant impact when his well-hit volley flew just wide after coming on at half-time for his first appearance in the league.
A fluid Robins moved almost brought the equaliser on the hour mark, Broom eventually flashing a cross just out of reach for Gavin Reilly.
Eastman came close to putting the game to bed, getting on the end of Cohen Bramall’s free kick but stabbing it wide from close range.
Thomas brought Cheltenham level on 70 minutes from the penalty spot, after Reid was brought down by goalkeeper Dean Gerken when through on goal.
Jacob Greaves missed a guilt-edged chance to put the home side ahead with ten minutes left, nodding Hussey’s free-kick high and wide from close in.
ROBINS: (3-5-2) Flinders, Raglan (Sheaf, 68’), Tozer (c), Greaves; Thomas, Doyle-Hayes, Clements, Hussey, Broom; Addai (Reid, 46’), Smith (46’).
Subs not used: Lovett, Boyle, Ince, Sheaf, Lloyd.
COLCHESTER UNITED: (4-2-3-1) Gerken, Jackson, Prosser (c), Eastman, Bramall; Pell, Comley; Senior (Harriott, 78’), Poku (Gambin, 83’), Nouble; Norris.
Subs not used: Ross, Sowunmi, Robinson, Clampin.
REFEREE: Ben Toner
ATTENDANCE: 3,045 (210 away)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Conor Thomas