Grimsby Town were held to a 1-1 draw with Colchester United in Sky Bet League Two, despite Charles Vernam’s brilliant strike in the first half.
Town broke the deadlock on 37 minutes through Vernam’s wonderful left-footed effort from long-range as he opened his account for the club.
John McGreal’s men equalised two minutes into the second half through a powerful Murray strike on the edge of the Town area.
The first chance of the game came for the Mariners on four minutes when Vernam found space on the edge of the area, before his powerful low-driven shot was parried away by U’s keeper Walker, and cleared to safety by the home side.
And Walker was called into action again five minutes later when Berrett’s 25-yard volley caught him off-guard, and forced him into another good stop.
Russell Slade’s men almost broke the deadlock on 25 minutes when Osborne reacted quickly to fire a left-footed volley goalward, but it bounced off the bar and out for a goal-kick – leaving the home side breathing a huge sigh of relief.
The Mariners came close again on the half-hour mark when Summerfield’s glancing header at the front post was caught well by a good save from Walker.
But Vernam finally opened the scoring for Town on 37 minutes when his left-footed strike from 25 yards darted into the bottom-right corner to beat Walker.
Half time: Colchester United 0-1 Grimsby Town
The home side got back on level terms just two minutes into the second period when Murray fired it into the back of the net from the edge of the area, following a scramble in the Town box.
Town’s first effort of the second half came 10 minutes in when Vernam was denied a brace, as his strike on the turn was parried just over the bar by another great save from Walker.
Town were under slightly more pressure in the opening stages of the second period, but defended well through good challenges from Osborne, Clarke, and Summerfield.
Town had a chance to get back in front on 69 minutes when Berrett floated in a great ball from the left-hand side, but Davies couldn’t connect properly as his header flew just wide of the mark.
And the U’s came close a minute later when Wright sprinted down the right wing and cut in to the box, but Kean watched as his effort flew wide of the mark.
Full time: Colchester United 1-1 Grimsby Town
Colchester United
1 Sam Walker
6 Frankie Kent
26 Ryan Inniss
18 Tom Eastman
2 Ryan Jackson
22 Kane Vincent-Young
4 Tom Lapslie (C)
16 Sean Murray
28 Kurtis Guthrie
10 Sammie Szmodics
7 Drey Wright
Subs
29 Rene Gilmartin
12 Cole Kpekawa
5 Luke Prosser
14 Brandon Comley
20 Courtney Senior
19 Mikael Mandron
27 Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe
Grimsby Town
33 Jake Kean
2 Ben Davies
3 Paul Dixon
6 Danny Collins
14 Karleigh Osborne
5 Nathan Clarke (C)
7 James Berrett
8 Mitch Rose
19 Luke Summerfield
29 Jamille Matt
34 Charles Vernam
Subs
30 Ben Killip
12 Zak Mills
20 Diallang Jaiyesimi
25 Martyn Woolford
17 Harry Cardwell
9 JJ Hooper
21 Scott Vernon
Attendance: 3016 (336)
Referee: Craig Hicks
Next Up: Luton Town (H)