Tom Lapslie's header deep into stoppage-time earned managerless Colchester United a 2-2 draw at play-off chasing Barnsley at Oakwell.

Lapslie headed in Joe Edwards' cross in the eighth minute of stoppage-time to earn Colchester a point, after Ashley Fletcher's brace had looked as though it had given the Reds all three points following George Moncur's opener for the visitors.

Colchester finished the game with only ten men after goalkeeper Elliott Parish was stretchered off with ten minutes remaining and with the U's having already used all of their substitutes, striker Macauley Bonne was forced to go in goal.

Wright made two changes to their starting line-up for their penultimate game of the season at Barnsley.

Moncur and Elliot Lee were both recalled to the U’s starting line-up after being on the bench for the 3-0 home defeat against Burton Albion.

Louis Dunne and Chris Porter both dropped to the bench, while Alex Wynter was also among the substitutes fresh from signing a new contract with Colchester last week.

Colchester came agonisingly close to scoring inside the opening minute when Moncur’s low shot came off outside of a post after fine work by Lee in the area.

But at the other end, Barnsley striker Sam Winnall ballooned a great chance over from inside the area from Connor Hourihane’s corner, as the contest started brightly.

Adam Hammill’s well-struck 25-yard diagonal shot flew into goalkeeper Parish’s arms, who also saved from Ashley Fletcher’s low shot inside the opening 25 minutes.

Barnsley looked increasingly dangerous as the half wore on, despite Lee firing straight at goalkeeper Adam Davies after finding room on the left flank and cutting inside.

Only a great save by Parish from point-blank range prevented Sam Winnall from scoring after some great play by Fletcher while from the resultant corner, the U’s keeper did well again to leap to his right and push away Marc Roberts’ goalbound header.

Alfie Mawson’s downward header from Hammill’s corner bounced off the top of the bar before flying over but Colchester looked dangerous on the break in the first half, particularly when Moncur and Lee were in possession.

Seven minutes before the break, Moncur’s goalbound first-time shot was blocked by a defender after a slick move from the U’s.

And Colchester took the lead two minutes before the break when Moncur finished superbly past Davies, after Lee had raced at the home defence and picked him out.

It meant that the U’s went in at the break ahead and they almost doubled it just after half-time when Lee once again cut in from the left and planted a low shot straight at Davies at his near post.

But Barnsley got back on level terms in the 57th minute through the impressive Fletcher, who drove into the box before unleashing a powerful shot that flew past Parish for the equaliser.

Barnsley went in search of a second goal after that and Parish made a good stop to push away Marc Roberts’ far post header, following a corner.

But Colchester still looked dangerous and Moncur’s fine curled effort flew inches over the bar with 20 minutes remaining.

Barnsley substitute Harry Chapman missed a gilt-edged opportunity when he drilled over from ten yards when alone in the area before Barnsley took the lead with ten minutes remaining when Fletcher converted the rebound, after Parish had denied Chapman.

Parish was injured as a result and after lengthy treatment, was stretchered off and with Colchester having used all of their substitutes, Bonne was forced to don the goalkeeper's jersey and go between the sticks for the final ten minutes of the match as Colchester finished the game with only ten men.

And just when it looked as though the U's were heading for defeat, Lapslie headed home to earn them a point.

For five pages of coverage of the U's game at Barnsley, see Monday's Daily Gazette.