Colchester United fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon.

Uche Ikpeazu's second-half strike gave the hosts all three points at the Abbey Stadium and condemned the U’s to their third league defeat of the season.

The result sees Colchester slip to 20th in the League Two table, and John McGreal’s men host Crawley Town, next weekend.

Here, Colchester United reporter Jonathan Waldron rates the players in the disappointing 1-0 defeat on the road:

SAM WALKER 7

Produced some impressive saves including an outstanding stop to deny Brown.

KANE VINCENT-YOUNG 6

Enjoyed a strong first-half display but was less effective after half-time at left-back. Booked.

TOM EASTMAN 6

Enjoyed his tussle with Ikpeazu and was also a presence in attack late on.

FRANKIE KENT 7

Largely unruffled at the back and won his fair share of headers in key areas.

LEWIS KINSELLA 5

U’s birthday boy was taken off at half-time after being booked in the first half.

TOM LAPSLIE 7

U’s man of the match. Made some key blocks and interceptions and ran himself into the ground. Booked.

SEAN MURRAY 6

Had a shot deflected just wide for a corner and was full of running and energy. Booked.

DREY WRIGHT 6

Showed flashes of attacking flair on the right flank but lacked a killer final ball.

SAMMIE SZMODICS 6

Foiled by Forde early on but seemed a little subdued by his lively standards.

KYEL REID 6

Denied by Forde early on; was Colchester’s liveliest player before going off injured.

MIKAEL MANDRON 5

Cut an isolated figure at times and squandered a good chance late in the game.

SUBSTITUTES

RYAN JACKSON (for Kinsella, 46) 6

Was effective at both right-back and right wing-back after coming on at half-time.

SANMI ODELUSI (for Reid, 53) 5

U’s debutant squandered a gilt-edged chance from close range in the closing stages.

CAMERON JAMES (for Wright, 70) 6

Slotted effectively into Colchester’s three-man defence for the final 20 minutes.

SUBSTITUTES (NOT USED): Comley, Kabamba, Issa, Gilmartin.