Colchester United crashed to a 2-0 home defeat against Oldham Athletic, on Saturday afternoon.

Goals inside the opening 13 minutes from Alex Iacovitti and Callum Lang proved enough to give the Latics all three points at the JobServe Community Stadium, despite an improved second-half display by the U's.

The defeat leaves Colchester two points off the play-off places with five games remaining.

John McGreal's side are next in action next Saturday at Bury.

Gazette sports writer Jon Waldron rates the U's players, following a disappointing home defeat.

DILLON BARNES 6

Made a big error for Oldham’s second goal but responded well after that to make some decent saves

RYAN JACKSON 6

Was a competent performer at right-back and long throws caused Oldham problems at times

LUKE PROSSER 6

U’s skipper did his best to rally the side after their terrible start and was solid in the second half

FRANKIE KENT 6

Recovered pretty well after over-hit back-pass led to Barnes’ error for Oldham’s second goal

KANE VINCENT-YOUNG 6

Lost out in the air to Lang in the build-up to Oldham’s opener but impressed in the second half

BEN STEVENSON 6

Went close with a first-half header on a frustrating day all round for the U’s. Booked

TOM LAPSLIE 6

Played in a more advanced role in the second half as U’s chased the game before being taken off

ABO EISA 5

Only showed flashes of his talent in the first half before being replaced at half-time

SAMMIE SZMODICS 7

U’s man of the match. Was a pest for the Oldham defence and never stopped trying for the U’s cause

COURTNEY SENIOR 6

Might have had a first-half penalty when he tumbled under Clarke’s challenge in the area. Booked

LUKE NORRIS 6

Planted a second-half header straight at Iversen shorty before being replaced by Mandron

SUBSTITUTES

FRANK NOUBLE (for Eisa, 45) 7

Put in a good shift for the U’s in the second half and was unlucky not to score

MIKAEL MANDRON (for Norris, 65) 7

Ruffled the feathers of the Oldham defence in the last quarter of the game after coming on

BRENNAN DICKENSON (for Lapslie, 71) 7

Made a positive impact after coming on and had a free-kick well saved by Iversen. Booked

SUBSTITUTES (NOT USED): Eastman, Wright, Saunders, Ross.