Colchester United’s first match since the departure of manager Tony Humes ended in defeat after they were thrashed 5-1 at promotion-chasing Burton Albion this afternoon.

The U’s, led by interim management duo Richard Hall and John McGreal, suffered a fifth successive league loss after being beaten on their first-ever trip to the Pirelli Stadium.

Colchester took a fourth-minute lead through Callum Harriott, who fired in a low shot from the edge of the area after Gavin Massey robbed Anthony O’Connor of possession inside the Burton half and delivered a cross which was only partially cleared.

Burton looked nervy and made numerous unenforced errors in the opening 20 minutes, gifting Colchester possession on several occasions.

But the Brewers equalised in the 25th minute, in controversial circumstances.

Harriott was harshly adjudged to have fouled Phil Edwards 20 yards from the U’s goal and Nasser El Khayati steered a low shot past the wall and inside Jamie Jones’ left-hand post.

Joe Edwards’ drive from the edge of the area flashed inches wide of the near post on the half hour for Colchester.

But the U’s fell behind 11 minutes before the break when Mark Duffy’s shot looped into the net off Joe Edwards from just inside the area after Stuart Beavon had won the ball and escaped down the left to pick him out.

And things got even worse for Colchester six minutes after half-time when Tom Naylor’s effort flew in off a post, after Duffy had caused problems by running at the U’s defence.

Harriott was desperately unlucky not to score his second of the game when his low drive rebounded off the inside of the post from outside of the area, just after the hour mark.

But Burton extended their lead to 4-1 when substitute Lucas Akins’ first-time volley flew past Jones, following Damien McCrory’s cross.

And substitute Timmy Thiele added a fifth for Burton with nine minutes remaining, converting unmarked from close range from Tom Naylor’s pass.

Substitute Marvin Sordell rounded Burton keeper Jon McLaughlin in the closing stages only to see his shot towards an empty net deflected wide for a corner and George Moncur had a shot saved by McLaughlin, soon after but the U's were beaten.

For five pages of coverage of the U’s game with Burton, see Monday’s Daily Gazette.