READING FC Under 21s secured a point at Colchester in their Checkatrade Trophy opening fixture after a 2-2 draw last night.

But Royals were denied an extra bonus point after losing the penalty shoot-out 6-5 to the Us.

The home side took an early lead at the Weston Homes Community Centre when Sammie Szmodics fired past George Legg.

They threatened to add to their tally with Tariq Issa and Drey Wright going close as Royals struggled to get going.

But the youthful visitors soon found their rhythm and drew level when Josh Barrett finished well past Rene Gilmartin from a Ben House assist.

A flurry of chances followed with Sam Smith, fresh from his Championship debut in the 2-0 win at Birmingham on Saturday, missing the target with a shot before seeing another deflected behind.

Us also had their moments with Cameron James and Wright firing wide from decent positions.

But they gifted Royals the lead just before the break when House picked Tom Eastman’s pocket before rounding his marker and slotting past Gilmartin.

It looked as though it would stay that way as Colchester’s Mikael Mandron saw two efforts cleared off the Reading line in the second half.

But defender Eastman atoned for his earlier mistake by jinking through Royals’ defence before setting up Eoin McKeown for the equaliser to send the clash to penalties.

Shootouts now use the ABBA format, and both sides held their nerve as the first 11 takers all managed to convert with Alex Andresson, Smith, Jordan Holsgrove, Tom Holmes and Barrett all finding the net for the Royals, while Lewis Kinsella, James, Mikael Mandron, Wright, Tom O’Sullivan and Ryan Jackson were successful for the Us.

However, Colchester keeper Gilmartin then denied Joel Robinson from the spot to secure his side a bonus point.

Colchester United: Gilmartin, Eastman, Kinsella, Vincent-Young (Jackson HT), James, Murray, Wright, Szmodics (O’Sullivan HT), Wright, Mandron, Issa (McKeown 78). Subs not used: Walker, Lapslie, Kent, Edge.

Reading U21: Legg, Holmes, Medford-Smith, Osho (Osho 90), Andresson, Frost, East, Holsgrove, Barrett, House, Smith. Subs not used: Driscoll, Howe, Shokunbi, Burley, Green, Nolan.