PARIS Cowan-Hall got more match time under his belt as Colchester United under-23s drew 0-0 with Charlton Athletic in Professional Development League Two, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Cowan-Hall had a disrupted pre-season due to injury but played the majority of the match, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

The likes of Shamal George, Sammie McLeod and recent loan signing Martell Taylor-Crossdale also featured, as the U's played out a draw.

After a quiet start, Charlton began to dominate the game as they created several good chances.

Ben Dempsey fired narrowly wide and Hady Ghandour's effort flashed across the face of the goal.

Dempsey then drove hard but wide of the far post for the Addicks and minutes later, they went close again as the U’s keeper George saved well from James Vennings.

Colchester had two major escapes on 38 and 39 minutes as first Jay Mingi's cross clipped the bar and then keeper George was put under pressure by striker John Davison who charged down his attempt to clear, before the ball ran onto and off the post.

In a rare moment of hope for the U’s, McLeod turned well but his shot sailed over the bar and almost immediately Vennings was booked for a foul on him as he looked to break clear.

Just on half time, Marley Marshall-Miranda was booked for a foul on Johl Powell as the first half finished goal-less.

Four minutes after the break, Charlton's luck continued to desert them as a Vennings free-kick flicked the top of the bar and went over.

He was in the action again as George saved another of his free-kicks before a superb block by Danny Collinge denied Carvalho's shot.

Collinge saved his side again with a great block at his near post and in a game of very few chances for Colchester, Taylor-Crossdale knocked the ball down to Samson Tovide who miscued his shot wide of the target.

After Cowan-Hall warmed the hands of keeper Nathan Harness, the U’s managed to get the ball back across again and into the box, but McLeod nodded wide.

There was almost a dramatic conclusion to the match when substitute Jake Hutchinson lifted an attempt just over from Tovide's delivery, as the spoils were shared.

U's: George, Collinge, Triailist, Kensdale, Marshall-Miranda (sub Sayer), Trialist, Cornish, Cowan-Hall (sub Hutchinson), Taylor-Crossdale, McLeod, Tovide. Subs (not used): Brown, Coulter.