Colchester missed out on a Sky Bet League Two play-off spot after drawing 0-0 at home with 10-man Barrow.
The U’s needed to win to have any hope of a top-seven finish but were held by the Bluebirds.
Ben Jackson curled a dipping shot just over and Tyler Smith headed over for Barrow while Jack Payne fired into the side netting from a tight angle for Colchester before half-time.
Colchester squandered a golden opportunity to go ahead on the hour mark when Samson Tovide was denied well by goalkeeper Wyll Stanway.
Colchester defender Fiacre Kelleher headed wide at the near post from a corner before Barrow were reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute when substitute Kyle Cameron was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity after bringing down Kyreece Lisbie as he tried to race through on goal.
Colchester substitute Tyreece Simpson’s acrobatic effort from Ellis Iandolo’s pass rattled a post while Matt Macey brilliantly denied Barrow substitute Chris Popov in stoppage time as it ended level.
