However, the stark reality is that the Essex club have now failed to win in their last nine home games and therefore continue to stare relegation in the face.
They actually dominated the first half, only to fall behind to a breakaway goal in injury-time.
This goal stemmed from a Colchester corner. The Blades cleared their lines quickly and livewire striker Luton Shelton managed to pounce on the loose ball ahead of Kemal Izzet near the halfway line.
Suddenly Shelton was away in the clear and the Jamaican striker kept his composure to beat advancing keeper Dean Gerken with a slick finish.
However, Colchester rallied impressively in the second half and in fact it took them just 24 seconds to fashion the equaliser.
Izzet threaded through an accurate ball for Kevin Lisbie and the ex-Charlton striker gave keeper Paddy Kenny no chance with a thunderous shot that soared into the top corner of the net.
The U's then nudged ahead on 64 minutes when Johnnie Jackson's 20-yard free-kick took a huge deflection off striker John Stead to completely wrong-foot Kenny.
But Colchester's slender lead only lasted for three minutes as slack marking from a free-kick allowed David Carney to turn and sweep home the equaliser.
It was Carney's second goal of the week, following his effort in the home game against Watford on Tuesday night, and again it was enough to earn Bryan Robson's men a point.
The Blades then looked the more likely to poach a winner during the final quarter of the game.
Shelton blazed high and wide when bursting through and it was not until the last minute of the game that the U's threatened a winner themselves.
However, Jackson's header at the far post drifted wide of target and with it went the U's hopes of registering a rare home win.
In fact, they have not tasted victory since beating high-flying West Brom on October 20.