COLCHESTER United head coach Steve Ball felt a 1-1 draw was a fair outcome after his side shared the spoils with Barrow this afternoon.

The U's extended their unbeaten start to the new League Two season to three games, after claiming a point at the Progression Solicitors Stadium.

Colchester had taken a first-half lead through Noah Chilvers' superb strike, his first senior goal for the club.

However, Mike Jones cancelled their advantage out with an equally-impressive long-range strike, to earn a point for the Bluebirds.

Both sides had chances to win it before the end but boss Ball felt that the outcome was fair.

Ball said: “I think a draw was about right.

“I actually quite enjoyed the game – I think it was a decent attacking game with lots of chances and two fantastic goals.

“Obviously coming in at half-time 1-0 up, there’s an element of disappointment about not winning the game.

“But I thought our reaction after their goal was really positive with three or four good opportunities.

“We felt we should have had a penalty with (Luke) Norris and then Miles (Welch-Hayes) had a header at the end there.

“But you take the points away from home in this division and you have to be pleased with that."

Chilvers' magnificent strike was his first senior goal in Colchester colours.

The U's academy product has started every league game for the U's so far and boss Ball was delighted for the youngster.

“We’ve been encouraging Noah in training to get forward more," said Ball.

“He’s got great technique and he’s one of the best technical finishers at the club.

“He knows that he has to add that to his game.

“He has lots of qualities and I’m delighted for him for the goal.

“It was his weaker foot as well which is really positive.

“He’s got to get himself down for at least ten goals, this year in my opinion with the quality he has.”

Barrow always provided a threat in attack, with their striker Scott Quigley particularly lively.

The forward rattled the U's woodwork in the second half for the Bluebirds, who boss Ball feels will be a tough nut to crack, this season.

Ball added: "(Scott) Quigley was a real handful for them.

"We saw it last week with Nathan Delfouneso and Eoin Doyle with Bolton and Barrow have Scott Quigley.

"For a big man, he's surprisingly mobile and I thought he played very well for them.

"Teams will come to Barrow and struggle against them because he leads the line and he's got some good players around him, as well.

"They won a championship last season and when teams do that, there is a high anyway for the club.

"That's what I thought in general, it was a positive point."