Micky Mellon hails Oldham's transition back to EFL after Colchester draw
Colchester took an eighth-minute lead through a header from centre-back Jack Tucker before the hosts equalised in the 36th minute through home debutant Josh Hawkes.
Mellon said: 'We have played two fancied teams and they have shown it is a massive step up from the National League.
'You don't get games like that in the National League and the players are handling it.'
Mellon, whose side won the National League play-off final in early June, added: 'We have the nucleus of a good group needed to get good results.
'You could see with your own eyes that we can be competitive.'
The Latics boss was disappointed that one point did not become three after his side had plenty of openings to seal victory.
He continued: 'I have no doubt Colchester will go home believing they have got away with one.
'I lost count of the number of chances we had and the number of corners we forced – we have to be clinical and take the opportunities we created.
'We didn't get what we deserved which was a win.
'The Oldham supporters are not stupid and will know it was a good game and will be scratching their heads (as to) why we didn't win.'
Oldham bossed the second half but were denied by excelling goalkeeping from Matt Macey and defenders who made goal-line clearances to deny Luke Hannant, Joe Quigley and Kane Drummond.
Colchester manager Danny Crowley praised the reliance of his side as they followed up a home draw against Tranmere with a point at Boundary Park.
Cowley said: 'We are a very young team and had to stand up when we lost control of the game at the start of the second half.
'It tested our mettle and our resilience and we stood up to it which was credit to the young one for that.
'Some made their debuts last week and had never played away from home in the Football League so they will take a lot from the game.'
Cowley was pleased with the way his side withstood a second-half onslaught, adding: 'They put a lot of balls into our box. It was chaotic and we had to step up. Players had to put their bodies on the line which they did really well.
'Away form defines you as a team and defines the personality of the team. I was proud of our determination, resilience and the way they committed to one another when it was not going so well.'
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