Joe Keith's last-gasp equaliser earned Colchester a draw at Stockport, denying Carlton Palmer's side what would have been a vital win.

Colchester parted company with manager Steve Whitton in midweek but although they were unsettled by a 36th-minute strike from Luke Beckett, they battled hard for a share of the spoils.

It was Beckett's 22nd league goal of the season as County dominated the early exchanges, but Colchester stuck at it and shocked their rivals with a late burst.

Striker Scott McGleish nearly got Colchester back level but Beckett should have had put the game beyond Colchester's reach.

The visitors' goalkeeper Simon Brown did well to keep his side in it by denying the Sheffield-born hitman as well as saving Rickie Lambert's powerful shot.

Stockport: Tidman, Lescott, Challinor, Clare, Tonkin, Gibb, Lambert, McLachlan, Ellison, Beckett, Daly. Subs: Spencer, Goodwin, Thomas, Pemberton, Wilbraham.

Colchester: Brown, Duguid, White, Fitzgerald, Chilvers, Stockwell, Izzet, Pinault, Keith, McGleish, Morgan. Subs: Coote, Bowry, Atangana, Stockley, McKinney.

Referee: J Ross (Essex).