Colchester United manager Tony Humes was pleased to see his side come back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw with Scunthorpe United today.

But he was disappointed with the manner of the two goals the U’s conceded in the opening 17 minutes, which he said gave them a “mountain to climb” in their ongoing search for a first victory of the season.

Strikes from Kevin van Veen and Paddy Madden put Scunthorpe in control early on, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

But George Moncur pulled a goal back for Colchester, ten minutes before the break.

And George Elokobi’s header nine minutes from time helped the U’s claim a third successive league draw.

Humes said: “We were pleased to get a point after being 2-0 down but there was a game there to win and we should have got three points.

“We keep saying that and we’re not learning – you can’t have a mountain to climb every game.

“We conceded two soft goals – the first one was a setback and after we conceded the second, we had a mountain to climb.

“But you have to give the players credit for how they reacted and how they got themselves back into the game by playing the right way.

“They were patient and that’s how they want to do it.

“We just have to keep trying to find the right blend and make sure that the players take more responsibility and work harder every day.”

Meanwhile, Humes has revealed that Colchester failed in a bid to sign striker Devante Cole from Manchester City last week.

Humes has been on the lookout for attacking reinforcements and wanted to bring in Cole – the son of former England and Manchester United striker Andrew Cole.

But the 20-year-old opted to joined Bradford City instead and came off the bench to score a 90th minute winner for his new side in their 1-0 win over Port Vale today.

Humes added: “We had a deal agreed to sign him last week but he chose to go to Bradford, which was disappointing.”