COLCHESTER United's under-18s were brought back down to earth with a bump after falling to a 6-0 defeat at high-flying Leeds United, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Chris Llewellyn's side were on a high having seven days earlier beaten Birmingham City to record their first Professional Development League Two win of the season.

But they were unable to follow up that 4-2 victory in Yorkshire against the top team in the Northern section, who were contesting the title with Sheffield Wednesday.

Colchester were to be blown away by the early home onslaught that saw them go 2-0 down very quickly.

First on seven minutes Olly Casey put Leeds in the lead and three minutes later, there was a second goal as the ball was high into the Colchester end and the ball ran for Jack Jenkins to convert well with a chance inside the box.

Things got even worse for the U's around the half hour mark when Leeds added a third goal.

A scramble in the visiting box saw a Colchester player put the ball into his own goal.

Colchester found themselves trailing by three goals at the break and it was to be an uphill battle for the away side, after that.

Leeds made it 4-0 when a ball into the box saw Jenkins net his second of the match.

And it was the under-16s youngster from the home squad who scored Leeds' fifth as he got on the end of another ball into the away area.

A final home goal came from Henri Kumwenda, who scored from a corner.

The win guaranteed Leeds a place in the end of the season, where they are likely to face either Ipswich Town or Cardiff City.

Next up for Colchester's under-18 side is a home game against Crystal Palace tomorrow at Florence Park, kick-off 1pm.