COLCHESTER United's under-18s bowed out of the FA Youth Cup at the first-round stage after losing 3-2 to Stevenage at Broadhall Way, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U's reached the quarter-finals of last season's competition before losing to Arsenal but the youngsters fell at the first hurdle this time around.

There was an early chance for the visitors from Callum Anderson who saw his effort go sailing wide of the far post as he tried to test home keeper Ethan Wady with a long-range attempt.

As the hosts threatened for the first time, Marcus Gouldbourne sped past his marker but he was unable to find Liam Smyth with his cross.

However there were problems for Colchester when Gouldbourne found Smyth who was fouled in the box and he was then able to put away the resulting penalty kick, after 20 minutes.

But Colchester equalised five minutes later as Noah Chilvers equalised with a calm finish, poking home from close range as he was found by the pass into the box.

The hosts then created several good chances as great pace by Gouldbourne saw him get past the U’s defence but his shot failed to really trouble keeper Callum Coulter.

A Luis Fernandez header found home skipper Arthur Iontton, but his attempt went agonisingly just wide and Smyth headed over the bar for Stevenage.

Colchester went very close in the closing moments of the first half as Wady made a fine save to deny Jake Hutchinson who was one-on-one with the on-loan Chelsea keeper.

Stevenage substitute Harry Draper headed wide for the hosts and Coulter did well to push Smyth's attempt onto the post and away for a corner, after the Stevenage player had embarked on a mazy run across the box.

However, two goals in a minute then put the home team in control of the tie.

Dylan O’Donnell fired the host team into the lead with a long-range shot with 19 minutes remaining.

He collected the ball in midfield, drove through the U’s defence and found the bottom left hand corner of the net.

And a minute later, Smyth's free header on the back post gave Stevenage a 3-1 lead.

The hosts almost grabbed a fourth but Simms' effort was ruled out for offside by the assistant referee.

Hutchinson tapped in from close range for Colchester with three minutes remaining to give the visitors brief hope but Stevenage claimed victory.

Colchester United: Coulter, Anderson, Cracknell, Fouche, Kazeem, Cornish, Chilvers, Hasanally, Hutchinson, Sims, Miller.