COLCHESTER United suffered their first defeat of pre-season after going down 3-0 in this afternoon’s friendly at home to Leyton Orient.

Paul McCallum netted twice for the dangerous O’s, before a late third from substitute Scott Kashket.

The U’s faded in the second half but had held their own in the early stages and hit the woodwork, through Richard Brindley.

Orient were in the ascendancy at half-time thanks to a headed goal from McCallum.

Former U’s defender Sean Clohessy delivered a cross from the right and while not the cleanest connection, striker McCallum was able to nod past keeper Elliot Parish.

The goal was a touch harsh on the U’s, who had more than played their part in a hard-fought, enjoyable opening 45 minutes.

Half-chances for Sammie Szmodics and George Moncur were followed by decent efforts from Brindley and Dion Sembie-Ferris.

A well-struck shot from Moncur was gathered at the second attempt by keeper Gary Woods.

And Brindley went agonisingly close when his right-wing cross into the box deceived Woods and clipped the top of Orient bar.

The visitors always looked dangerous up front, though, especially in the air.

Matthieu Baudry headed just the wrong side of a post after Parish failed to deal with Dean Cox’s cross.

Parish was then called on to make a fingertip save, diverting over a looping header from Jay Simpson.

Simpson had a free header from six yards but saw it flash wide and the visitors’ aerial menace continued in the second half.

McCallum soon added his second goal, this time from a cross by Bradley Pritchard, and Baudry had yet another headed opportunity soon after – only to hit the middle of the U’s bar.

The crossbar came to Colchester’s rescue again soon after, this time from Cox’s volley after a great cross-field pass from Sammy Moore.

However, Orient were not to denied a third goal, which came in the latter stages.

A through ball was flicked on and Kashket, who had only just come on for McCallum, raced forward before slipping the ball past substitute keeper Sam Walker.