Bristol City returned to the Coca-Cola Championship automatic promotion places but failed to capitalise fully on Watford's defeat at Preston.

Gary Johnson's side suffered an early setback when Kevin Lisbie gave struggling Colchester an early lead with his ninth goal of the season.

But the Robins rallied before half-time to level and could have won it before the interval.

Ivan Sproule levelled with his first goal in 16 games after 32 minutes before Hungarian defender Tamas Vasko had an effort ruled out for offside.

United held on to end City's run of four straight home wins with their 14th away point of the season, but Geraint Williams' side remain in a perilous position at the foot of the table while City are second.

City had lost just one of the last nine league fixtures going into the game, but manager Johnson made two changes following the FA Cup reverse to Middlesbrough, with Lee Trundle and Michael McIndoe recalled.

Colchester's record signing Chris Coyne made his debut as one of four changes made by manager Geraint Williams after the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to ambitious Coca-Cola League Two side Peterborough.

Coyne signed from League One Luton in a £350,000 deal on Thursday and started in defence alongside fellow new boy Phil Ifil, who made his first appearance after signing from Tottenham.

Trundle headed straight at Dean Gerken in the United goal before the visitors struck after six minutes.

Johnnie Jackson, who this week agreed a contract extension at Layer Road, met a cross with a cushioned header for Lisbie to rifle in a right-foot shot from 12 yards for his third in three games.

Lisbie forced Adriano Basso to parry moments later and former Spurs midfielder Jackson then forced the Brazilian goalkeeper to save well after a right-foot shot from 12 yards.

Darren Byfield and Lee Johnson, the manager's son, had shots blocked and Sproule shot off-target as City failed to test Gerken.

But Northern Ireland striker Sproule equalised from 12 yards with a right-foot shot from Johnson's pass.

City thought they had gone ahead 90 seconds later when Vasko found the net after McIndoe's free-kick, but the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside.

McIndoe failed to test Gerken before Clive Platt shot and Jackson had a shot blocked early in the second half.

Basso comfortably saved from Kem Izzet's shot from the edge of the box but City then began to dominate both territory and possession.

However the hosts could not create clear-cut opportunities and Byfield was replaced by Enoch Showunmi.

Striker Trundle had an effort blocked and Colchester then lost goalkeeper Gerken through injury.

Vasko fired over from the edge of the box and Marvin Elliott shot straight at replacement goalkeeper Mark Cousins late on as Colchester held on to draw.

Teams:

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Vasko, Fontaine, McAllister, Sproule,Johnson, Elliott, McIndoe, Trundle (McCombe 90),Byfield (Showunmi 79).

Subs Not Used: Noble, Skuse, Weale.

Booked: Sproule.

Goals: Sproule 33.

Colchester Gerken (Cousins 82), Ifil (Balogh 90), Virgo,Coyne, White, Yeates, Jackson, Guttridge, Izzet, Platt, Lisbie.

Subs Not Used: Granville, Sheringham, McLeod.

Booked: Guttridge.

Goals: Lisbie 6.

Att: 16,484

Ref: Grant Hegley (Hertfordshire).