Colchester United's youngsters were thrashed 8-2 by Queens Park Rangers this afternoon, in their latest Under-21 Professional Development League Two game.
Freddie Ladapo's brace proved scant consolation to the U's, against a Rangers side who featured Tal Ben Haim, Junior Hoilett and Samba Diakite.
The U's side did not feature any senior players, as Joe Dunne is planning to field many of them in tomorrow night's Essex Senior Cup fourth-round tie at Brentwood Town.
U's development coach Richard Hall said: "We had a very young team out and it was a learning curve for us.
"We were outclassed but the players will learn from it.
"The purpose of the development league is to produce players for the first team, even if that means losing every game in the process.
"I've said it before, if I get two or three players who make it into the first team, I've done my job."
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