COLCHESTER United fell to a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Aveley tonight to bow out of the BBC Essex Senior Cup at the third-round stage.
Substitute Kaion Lisbie's second-half strike proved only a consolation for a U's side featuring a host of first-team players at the JobServe Community Stadium, after they fell to defeat against a hungry Millers side.
Colchester named a strong side to face their Pitching In Isthmian League Premier opponents, with eight of their starting line-up boasting first-team experience.
The likes of Samson Tovide, John-Kymani Gordon, Jaden Williams and Josh Powell all featured for Elliott Ward’s side, along with Sam Kuffour, Ronnie Harvey and skipper Tom Smith.
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And in midfield, Milton Oni continued his comeback from a long-term knee injury.
Colchester were looking to stamp their authority on the contest early on but they had to play catch up after Aveley took a ninth-minute lead.
Jayden Gipson’s whipped cross into the six-yard box was met by Suley Zuhdu who sent a brave header into the net past Smith.
With their tails up, Aveley almost doubled their advantage five minutes later when Zuhdu's fierce shot flashed just past the near post.
Colchester had a penalty shout for rejected when Aveley defender Ryan Henshaw appeared to bring Tovide down in the area, but the referee waved away the hosts' appeals.
And Colchester fell further behind in the 21st minute when Jayden Gipson headed in from close range from a corner, to leave the hosts with a mountain to climb.
Williams blasted a shot over the bar after working space for himself on the edge of the Aveley area but Colchester struggled to find their rhythm in the first half against an industrious Millers side.
Tovide screwed a low shot wide of the far post just before half-time, as Colchester went in at the break behind.
Gordon fired wide from 25 yards early in the second half after a neat turn but Colchester fell further behind ten minutes after the break when Zuhdu controlled a cross well in the box before clinically firing a low shot past Smith and into the net.
The U's pulled a goal back midway through the second half through Lisbie, who produced a tidy side foot finish at the far post after Gordon had escaped down the right and picked him out with a low cross.
But Smith was called into action when he got a strong hand to Charles' low shot at his near post to prevent it from going in the net, as Colchester crashed out of the county cup.
MATCH STATS: Colchester United: Tom Smith, David Nkrumah, Fela Abidekun, Sam Kuffour, Josh Powell, Ronnie Harvey, JK Gordon, Milton Oni (sub Kien Connolly, 58), Samson Tovide (sub Makise Evans, 58), Jaden Williams, Kai Martin (sub Kaion Lisbie, 58).
Substitutes (not used): Jack Sexton, Lennox Emery.
Aveley: Joe Wright, Toby Tinubu, Harry Haysom, Jayden Gipson, Alfie Armin (sub George Saunders, 64), Oliver Peters, Ryan Charles, Christopher Harris (sub Jayden Robinson, 69), Oliver Muldoon (sub Louis Reynolds, 55), Suley Zudhu (sub Rowan Liburd, 69), Ryan Henshaw.
Substitute (not used): Adam Bailey-Dennis.
Referee: Sam Wiggington.
Goals: Colchester: Lisbie (68). Aveley: Zudhu (9, 55), Gipson (21).
Bookings: Colchester: Nkrumah (foul, 52), Gordon (unsporting behaviour, 80). Aveley: Peters (foul, 80).
Sending off: None.
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