The smiles say it all as Steven Gillespie celebrates scoring against Huddersfield Town with his Colchester United team-mate Kem Izzet back in March, 2012.

It proved to be a final goal in U’s colours for the former Liverpool youngster, who had become Colchester’s record signing in 2008 after joining them from Cheltenham Town for a fee in excess of £400,000.

He finished his final season at Colchester as the club’s second-highest scorer with 12 goals, netting one goal fewer than top scorer Anthony Wordsworth.

Gillespie made 108 appearances in total during an injury-interrupted spell at Colchester, scoring 25 goals in 46 league starts during his time at the Community Stadium before leaving them to join Fleetwood Town in the summer of 2012.

Gillespie’s strike was probably one of the quickest goals ever scored at the Community Stadium, giving John Ward’s side the lead inside three minutes when he closed down Alex Smithies’ attempted clearance and the ball looped in.

A Colchester side also featuring the likes of Ian Henderson and Kayode Odejayi looked for the vast majority of the Npower League One encounter like they were going to go on and win, especially when they were awarded an 88th minute penalty.

But Smithies saved the midfielder’s spot-kick attempt and Huddersfield were able to take full advantage of their reprieve deep into stoppage time, although they were given something of a helping hand – or head.

The Terriers salvaged a draw when Magnus Okuonghae headed into his own net, leaving Colchester to reflect upon a third successive draw.

It proved to be the story of the U’s campaign in some ways, which culminated in a tenth-place finish for Ward’s side.

The 2011-12 season had started in memorable fashion, with an excellent 4-2 triumph at much-fancied Preston North End, at Deepdale.

The U’s lost only two of their opening eight league fixtures and a nine-match unbeaten run in February and March fuelled hopes of a play-off push.

However, Colchester fell short in the end although they were able to end their home campaign with a 4-2 triumph over Tranmere.