Bradley Ihionvien struck twice in added time to salvage a 1-1 draw for Colchester United against Luton Town in the EFL Trophy on Saturday. The result extended the U's recent run of draws, though they ultimately lost the penalty shootout 4-3.
Head coach Danny Cowley made seven changes to his starting line-up for the Group South match. Timothee Lo-Tutala started in goal, with Ellis Iandolo captaining the side in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Luton, managed by Jack Wilshere, also rotated their squad.
The first half was goalless, with Beryly Lubala seeing a couple of long-range efforts deflected or fly over the bar for the hosts. Luton's best chance came shortly after the break when Jordan Clark was denied one-on-one by Lo-Tutala, who made four saves in total.
How the late drama unfolded
Devante Cole broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 87th minute, finishing from an Emilio Lawrence cross. Cowley had already introduced Ihionvien from the bench, and the substitute responded in the 90th minute, pouncing on a deflected Jack Tucker shot to equalise.
What followed was a remarkable sequence of penalties. Ihionvien converted a spot-kick to put Colchester ahead in the 92nd minute, only for Jordan Clark to level from 12 yards seconds later. Paul Digby restored the U's lead in the 96th minute, but Devante Cole equalised again for Luton. After Jaden Williams scored for Colchester, Luton's Jake Richards and Mads Juel Andersen netted to seal a 4-3 shootout win, with Frankie Terry and Kien Connelly missing for the hosts.
"I came off the bench to strike a stoppage-time equaliser for Colchester United," Ihionvien said.
Colchester head coach Danny Cowley commented on the changes and the performance.
Luton manager Jack Wilshere gave his view on the match. Wilshere stated.
The draw means Colchester's winless run in all competitions stretches to five games. They currently sit 19th in League Two with 10 points from eight matches. Attention now turns back to the league, with a trip to face 15th-placed Newport County next on the fixtures schedule this Saturday.
Colchester United's appeal against Jaden Williams' red card has failed, the club confirmed. The forward will now serve a three-match suspension. Head coach Danny Cowley said he was baffled, quoting former Premier League referee Mike Jones who told the club the challenge "wasn't a sending off". Cowley stated, "Now Jaden will be unavailable to us until I think October 20th, which blows my brains." The 19th-placed U's, who have drawn four of their last five, face Newport County next.
