Colchester United were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Port Vale on Saturday afternoon.
Sammie Szmodics gave the U's a first-half lead but Marcus Harness's equaliser with 15 minutes remaining meant that the spoils were shared, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
The result leaves Colchester a point off the play-off places in League Two and John McGreal’s men travel to play Crawley Town, on Boxing Day.
Here, the Gazette's Colchester United reporter Jonathan Waldron rates the players following a draw in their final home game of 2017:
SAM WALKER 7
Made a vital first-minute save and pulled off several key stops after that.
RYAN JACKSON 6
Defended solidly but did not have his usual attacking influence down the right.
TOM EASTMAN 7
Was dominant in the air and generally effective in possession in defence and attack.
FRANKIE KENT 8
Stood strong against the threat of Pope and produced a mature performance.
KANE VINCENT-YOUNG 6
Generally defended well but had little chance to venture forward in the second half.
BRANDON COMLEY 6
Was an effective performer in the first half but had less impact after the break.
TOM LAPSLIE 8
U’s man of the match. Provided assist for Szmodics’ goal and also cleared off the line.
KYEL REID 7
Produced some exciting wing play in the first half before being replaced in second half.
DREY WRIGHT 6
Missed a good first-half chance and struggled to reach his recent high standards.
SAMMIE SZMODICS 7
Took his goal confidently after twice going close early on and also hit the bar.
MIKAEL MANDRON 6
Was well marshalled by the Vale defence and had few opportunities in front of goal.
SUBSTITUTES
CAMERON JAMES (for Reid, 67) 5
SEAN MURRAY (for Wright, 76) 6
BRANDON HANLAN (for Szmodics, 89)
SUBSTITUTES (NOT USED): Slater, Odelusi, Guthrie, Gilmartin.
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