Former U's striker Robbie Reinelt stole the show with a blistering 30-yard free-kick to give Braintree victory.

The Iron's leading scorer last season stepped up in the 35th minute on Tuesday night to blast a set piece past the dive of keeper Andy Woodman and in off the foot of the post.

Colchester United would have felt hard done by because they had dominated the first half with Thomas Pinault and Kemi Izzet lively in midfield.

Steve Whitton's troops had their chances with Mick Stockwell having a drive parried by keeper Paul Catley, who was making his first appearance for Braintree.

Catley was again at his best to deny trial striker Christian Lee, who had a steady first half. But when Colchester finally did beat the Braintree stopper they were denied by the bar from Joe Keith's powerful header.

For all their possession, the visitors found it difficult to break down a defensive and resolute Braintree side who did well to close down their opponents.

In the second half, both sides rung the changes with Whitton bringing on Tony Allman, Bobby Bowry, Osmar Tresor Kandol and French triallists left-back Aissam Hamdaoui and forward Didier Zonga.

With the wet conditions deteriorating, things were made even more difficult for fans as the U's wore a mixture of shirts with names, just numbers and nothing on the back at all.

The home side nearly added to their lead in the 80th minute when an angled shot from Craig Davidson was saved low by Simon Brown, on as a replacement for Woodman.

David Gregory missed two glaring chances for the U's when he sidefooted wide from eight yards before heading off target from point blank range.

And Nicky Simpson made sure it was not to be their day when he cleared off the line in the dying seconds of the game.

Braintree manager Ben Embery said: "I think Colchester were two players short of their full-strength side in the first half and we did tremendously well.

"My only criticism is that we defended too deep and invited pressure. But apart from that we closed them down and came into the game much more in the second half.

"I was pleased with a number of performances particularly Alan Keeper and Nicky Smith in midfield and Catley in goal."

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