Paul Hayes' second-half brace handed Scunthorpe a point in an entertaining 3-3 draw with relegation counterparts Colchester.

Hayes hauled the Iron back into the game after Nigel Adkins' side conceded two goals in the first three minutes of the second half to leave them trailing the U's 3-1.

Kevin McLeod had given the visitors the lead after 11 minutes but Jonathan Forte equalised just three minutes later.

Scott Vernon's overhead kick and McLeod's second of the game after the break had looked like consigning the Glanford Park side to defeat before Hayes pulled one back after 67 minutes.

The 23-year-old then completed the comeback eight minutes from time when he lashed home his eighth of the season to share the spoils in what will be a League One fixture next season.

The home side, who came into the match having won their last two games, got off to a bright start and threatened the Colchester goal in the opening stages when Andy Butler wastefully fired over from 12 yards.

It was therefore a surprise when the visitors took an early lead after 11 minutes following Kevin Lisbie's cross from the left, McLeod heading home from close range to grab his third of the season.

Their lead was short-lived, however, when just four minutes later the recalled Matthew Sparrow, the Iron's only change to the side that beat Watford last Saturday, sent over a cross from the right side of the penalty area that Forte converted with a low right-footed strike from six yards out.

Colchester continued to pose problems and Johnnie Jackson could have restored the visitors' advantage on two separate occasions but failed to show the necessary composure in front of goal.

Vernon then produced a piece of magic after 47 minutes to put Colchester back in front when he made the most of Jackson's centre from the right wing to find the net with a spectacular bicycle-kick that flew past Joe Murphy in the Scunthorpe goal.

The U's then took full advantage of a stunned home defence to deliver a double blow, McLeod netting his second of the game with a left-footed lob from 25 yards out.

But Hayes punished Colchester as they sat back and the 23-year-old pulled a goal back after 67 minutes when he volleyed home Ian Morris' cross.

The striker then grabbed his second to level the scores after 82 minutes with another close-range finish, this time firing past Gerken from six yards to earn his side a point.

Teams:

Scunthorpe Murphy, Byrne, Iriekpen, Butler, Williams, Forte,Cork (McCann 88), Sparrow, Morris (Winn 81), May, Hayes.

Subs Not Used: Lillis, Hobbs, Picton.

Booked: Butler.

Goals: Forte 15, Hayes 67, 82.

Colchester Gerken, Ifil (Elito 56), Balogh, Heath, White,Duguid, Izzet, Jackson, Kevin McLeod, Lisbie, Vernon (Platt 71).

Subs Not Used: Cousins, Wordsworth, James Hammond.

Booked: Duguid.

Goals: Kevin McLeod 11, Vernon 47, Kevin McLeod 48.

Att: 5,554

Ref: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire).