A late equaliser from substitute Dean Smalley preserved Oldham's unbeaten start to the season.

Colchester opened the scoring when a Mark Yeates cross-shot flew in off the far post and he made it 2-0 on 63 minutes with a powerful shot.

But Oldham replied immediately when Chris Taylor ran at the Colchester defence and slotted home a low shot.

Colchester's Clive Platt hit the post before Smalley converted Lee Hughes' cross from close range to earn a point.

Booked: White, Yeates, Wordsworth, Perkins.

Goals: Yeates 42, 63.

Oldham: Crossley, Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Lomax, Liddell (Smalley 82), Allott, Whitaker, Taylor, Hughes, Alessandra (O'Grady 80).
Subs Not Used: Fleming, Stam, Maher.

Booked: Allott, Hughes.

Goals: Taylor 64, Smalley 88.

Att: 4,708

Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).