TWO late goals helped Colchester United's under-23s see off Cardiff City, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Donell Thomas and Chay Cooper both scored in the closing stages to seal victory for the U's.

Both sides had early chances in the Professional Development League Two clash, played at at Maldon and Tiptree FC.

James Crole volleyed just over the bar for Cardiff, after Eli King's was headed out and knocked back goalwards.

And at the other end, Cooper's ball in eluded the U's advancing home forward, after Sam Cornish's ball forward had been nodded on.

Colchester fell behind midway through the first half.

The visitors cleared Cooper's free-kick and after James Crole burst strongly down the left, he unselfishly squared for King on his right who drove a shot into the far corner of the net.

Colchester twice had chances cleared off the line, just before half-time.

Cornish's left-foot shot was cleared by Tom Davies and then another goalbound effort was knocked off the line by Jai Semenyo.

Cardiff keeper Matt Turner superbly tipped Cooper's free-kick over the bar for a corner eight minutes after the break, after Bradley Ihionvien had been fouled 25 yards out.

Colchester finally equalised, nine minutes before half-time.

A Thomas left-wing corner was adjudged to have been handed by Davies who was duly sent off, with a penalty awarded.

Cooper duly despatched the penalty low to the keeper's left.

And four minutes later, a Thomas effort squeezed under Turner's dive, to secure the U's win.

Colchester United U23: Ted Collins, Harry Beadle, Camron Gbadebo, Frankie Terry, Freddie Price, Chay Cooper, Gene Kennedy, Sam Cornish, Marley Marshall-Miranda, Samson Tovide, Bradley Ihionvien. Used subs: Donell Thomas, Kaan Bennett, Ryan Lowe. Unused subs: Jaime Tedaldi, Kacy Parish