Matt Briggs made a long-awaited comeback but Colchester United's run in this season's Essex Senior Cup came to an end at the quarter-final stage as they were beaten 2-0 by Vanarama National League South side East Thurrock United.
Briggs made his first competitive appearance for the U's since undergoing hip surgery in August and new signing Jermaine Grandison also featured.
But the U's under-23s bowed out of the county cup as they conceded twice in the latter stages of their quarter-final tie.
Sam Higgins broke the deadlock for the hosts in the 78th minute with Michael Clark adding a second seven minutes later, although Colchester had earlier struck the woodwork on three occasions.
Tariq Issa, Femi Akinwande and Louis Dunne all saw efforts come back off the crossbar in the opening hour of the game and the U's were left ruing those misses at the final whistle.
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