Cardiff came crashing back to earth from their FA Cup exploits as their 10 men had to hang on for a Championship point against determined Colchester.

The Us brought to an end their sorry run of five straight defeats with a spirited performance, Johnnie Jackson earning a point with 20 minutes left.

But the division's bottom side probably should have taken all three points - Clive Platt hitting the post after half-an-hour, and Bluebirds goalkeeper Peter Enckelman kept busy as the game wore on.

Cardiff were not helped by the dismissal of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after a challenge on Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken.

On-loan defender Matt Heath made his Colchester debut, with Chris Coyne sidelined through hamstring injury.

It all seemed routine for Cardiff when Paul Parry rifled home to score his ninth goal of the season after 11 minutes.

The Us were under the cosh from the moment Parry put the visitors in front - and were having problems coping with Peter Whittingham, who scored Cardiff's opening goal in last week's Cup win over Middlesbrough.

Parry could have added a second midway through the first half but turned Tony Capaldi's cross wide of the target.

Whittingham elected to shoot himself after 24 minutes, but Gerken made a smart save.

The home side came back in it as the half wore on, and gave the Bluebirds a scare when Platt hit the post from close range after half-an-hour.

Three minutes later, leading scorer Kevin Lisbie forced a save from Enckelman - and was then unfortunate to be given offside moments later.

A period of concerted pressure led to a throw-in from Philip Ifil, and the ball eventually found its way to Platt - who rattled the post from six yards.

Duguid tested Enckelman with his 34th-minute free-kick, before Duguid's shot forced a hurried clearance from Roger Johnson.

Dean Hammond pounced on the rebound, but his shot was wayward once again.

Colchester resumed with renewed vigour, and Roger Johnson did well to get in the way of Jackson's snap shot.

The Bluebirds' hopes were dealt a blow when veteran striker Hasselbaink was shown his marching orders.

Nevertheless, Whittingham should have settled matters - but his header from Parry's cross was wayward.

The former Aston Villa midfielder was withdrawn almost immediately as Dave Jones threw on Trevor Sinclair.

But the effervescent Jackson got the goal he deserved after 70 minutes to deepen Cardiff's woes.

Colchester forced a corner, and Duguid's delivery was met with precision by Jackson.

The equaliser spurred United on, and Enckelman had to be alert to deny Medy Elito.

Jones played his last cards, making a double replacement - with Riccardo Scimeca and Steven Thompson coming on for Joe Ledley and Ramsey.

But they had little effect, and Adam Virgo could have grabbed a rare winner for Colchester - but instead headed Jackson's centre harmlessly over.

Teams:

Colchester Gerken, Ifil, Heath, Virgo, White (Vernon 84), Duguid, Hammond, Jackson, Elito (Wordsworth 87), Lisbie, Platt.

Subs Not Used: Bankole, Balogh, Izzet.

Goals: Jackson 71.

Cardiff Enckelman, Blake, Johnson, Loovens, Capaldi, Whittingham (Sinclair 66), Rae, Ramsey (Scimeca 77), Ledley (Thompson 78), Hasselbaink, Parry.

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse.

Sent Off: Hasselbaink (62).

Booked: Blake.

Goals: Parry 11.

Att: 4,699

Ref: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire).