Now there's some urgency about Exeter at last. They force a corner but the hosts' goalkeeper Dean Gerken punches it clear, and then substitute Brennan Dickenson volleys well off target on the rebound.

There'll be five minutes of added time at the end of this first leg.

Can Exeter respond and try to get back on terms before Monday's return leg?

Image source, PA Media

The hosts utilise the new rules and make their fourth substitution. Off goes Kwame Poku and on comes Paris Cowan-Hall for the final moments.

Cohen Bramall's strike was only Colchester's second attempt on target of this game.

In case you're only just tuning in, Exeter haven't had any yet.

It's been a game of very, very few chances but that free-kick was the moment of quality that neutrals have we've been waiting for.

What a super strike from the former Arsenal and Birmingham City man.

It's only the second goal of Cohen Bramall's senior career.

There seemed to be some sort of artificial cheers of celebration from the sound system at the JobServe Community Stadium as that goal went in. It sounded fairly realistic to me, albeit nowhere near as loud as the reaction would have been if this place was packed to the rafters.

Some more changes for both sides now. Ben Stevenson and Luke Norris go off for the hosts, while Tom Lapslie and their top scorer Theo Robinson come on.

Exeter take off Jack Sparkes and Dean Moxey and replace them with Brennan Dickenson and Tom Parkes.

That means City have made four changes so far in this game - which they are allowed to do so under the temporary new rules. Five is the maximum permitted, rather than the usual limit of three.

I can't recall a single shot on target from Exeter yet, and the stats concur with that.

The home side have only had one, which was a direct free-kick from Cohen Bramall in the first half.

Less than 20 minutes to go in this first leg.

In normal circumstances, the crowd would be roaring their side on at this point, in what is a key stage of the semi-final, with this game on a knife-edge.

That makes it feel all the more strange that it's so quiet out there. The loudest it has been so far was just a moment ago when about half the players on the pitch all simultaneously shouted 'our ball' for a throw-in that could have been given either way.

Image source, PA Media

Just as in the first half, now that we're halfway through the second half, it's time for a drinks break for the players.

We'll be seeing a lot of this across the sport this summer, under the temporary new rules.

Both sides make a change. The hosts bring off Courtney Senior and winger Luke Gambin comes on.

For the visitors, Nicky Law is replaced by 20-year-old Archie Collins.

Former Derby striker Theo Robinson - Colchester's top scorer so far this term with 12 goals in all competitions - is warming up on the touchline for the U's.

How long until he is brought on from the bench, I wonder?

Matt Jay's effort from the free-kick gets up and over the wall, but hits the side netting. That wasn't too far away.

Image source, Rex Features

Colchester's former Cheltenham midfielder Harry Pell is booked for a little tug on Matt Jay's shirt.

Free-kick to Exeter, on the left, near the area, with Jay and Nicky Law standing over it.

The hosts make a slight mess of trying to clear an Exeter corner initially, but eventually the danger is averted.

Still goalless, as we edge closer to the hour mark in the first leg of this semi-final.

Dare I say, the game's starting to open up a bit now.

Worth a go. Colchester's Courtney Senior has half a yard of space, just outside the box, so lashes a strike at goal, but his rising shot flies just over the bar.

A direct, pacy run from the hosts' Frank Nouble forces a corner... But the subsequent delivery from the right is headed clear by Exeter's Aaron Martin. He's been a strong presence in the air this evening.

Image source, Rex Features

This is Colchester's first play-off campaign since way back in the 1997-98 season, when they were promoted from the fourth tier.