COLCHESTER United were beaten 2-0 at Reading in their first pre-season friendly of the summer this afternoon.

The U's went down 2-0 in a behind-closed-doors game played at the Championship club's training ground.

Wayne Brown fielded two separate sides in each half, with new signing Alex Newby featuring along with Sam Hornby and Emyr Huws, who also signed last week.

Colchester-born former Ipswich Town striker Connor Wickham played for the Royals.

The U's fell behind early on when they conceded an own goal from an inswinging corner.

And it was 2-0 soon after when Yakou Meite fired home past Hornby from the spot, after Lucas Joao had been fouled inside the Colchester penalty area.

Colchester were forced to defend for most of the first half, with Hornby making a good early save to push the ball around the post.

Noah Chilvers also cleared off the goal line for Colchester, as Reading pushed for more goals.

But Frank Nouble, back at the club after returning from his loan spell at Leyton Orient, looked a lively customer for the U's.

Colchester fielded a different side in the second half which was a more even affair.

However, Reading passed up two guilt-edged chances to further extend their advantage, missing a penalty and squandering a one-on-one with Shamal George.

Huws looked strong in midfield and tested the home defence, with his accurate balls to Cooper and Akinde eventually missing the final target, as the U's were beaten.

Colchester United first half XI: Hornby, Tchamadeu, Chambers, Terry, Clampin (sub Sayer), Skuse, Chilvers, Newby, Marshall Miranda, Nouble, Sears

Second half XI: George, Kazeem, Smith, Eastman, Coxe, Hannant, Judge, Cooper, Huws, Akinde, Hutchinson.