Lewis Kinsella played 45 minutes as Colchester United's under-23s fell to their first Premier League Cup defeat of the season after losing 3-0 at Manchester City.
Kinsella played 45 minutes for the U's in the Group C game at the City Football Academy, as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury that has kept him sidelined from first-team action since October.
Colchester got off to the worst possible start when they conceded in the eighth minute, after Brendan Ocran put into his own net.
Demeaco Duhaney doubled City's lead just before half-time with a shot that looped over U's keeper Rhys Williams.
And Manchester City completed their win on the hour mark when Isaac Buckley-Ricketts swept home from a free-kick.
Colchester still face games against Derby County away and Hull City at home, as they aim to qualify from the group.
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