Adkins was content to head back up the A1 having avoided defeat, even though wins for Leicester City and MK Dons saw them put some breathing space between themselves and the chasing pack.
"We came for three points, but if you can't do that, then don't get beat," he said.
"Gary Hooper could have won it for us, but at the end we might also have lost it. The pitch was bobbly and that probably contributed to one of Gary Hooper's misses."
Paul Lambert, the Colchester manager, felt his side's performance merited a win.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't get all three points because I thought we were the better team," he said.
"We're on the right road and we aren't a million miles away from where we want to be."