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.