English born Ghanaian youngster Arvin Appiah netted a brace as Nottingham U-23 were held to a 2-2 draw by Colchester United in the Professional Development League.

Two penalties from Arvin Appiah secured a point for The Reds in a game which they controlled for most parts.

It took just 16 minutes for Jimmy Gilligan’s side to take the lead when Appiah was tripped inside the area.

The winger then stepped up and converted the spot-kick to give his side an early lead.

But the visitors responded well, levelling the scores just four minutes later as Ken Charles slotted past Jordan Wright from a cross.

The Reds did have the ball in the net early in the second half through Yassine En-Neyah, but the striker couldn’t beat the offside trap with the linesman ruling it out.

Appiah then had the ball in the net again, but the linesman had his flag up once more, before Colchester took the lead against the run of play. Tariq Issa curled an excellent effort from 25-yards in off the post to give The U’s the lead.

The lively Appiah was then tripped again inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot for a second time. The same man stepped up and coolly converted it to score his and Forest’s second of the game as they secured a point.