COLCHESTER United's under-23s chalked up their first win of the season after beating Millwall 3-1 at Florence Park this afternoon, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U’s, watched by first-team boss John McGreal, came from behind to win in their Professional Development League Two match.

had the first opening as Jamal Campbell-Ryce linked with Louis Dunne and Michael Fernandes.

But then there was a better chance which fell to Cameron James who intercepted the ball but then shot straight at the Millwall keeper Ryan Sandford.

From an Ollie Sims corner, the ball was half cleared and when it ran out, the attempt by Fernandes flashed just wide.

However it was the Lions who led after 12 minutes as Tyler Burey and George Alexander linked on the right and with Reuben Duncan close by, the goal was accredited as an own goal.

As Colchester tried to hit back Danny Collinge fed Fernandes whose shot bounced back off the keeper’s chest but nobody was there to get onto the rebound.

Colchester's Matt Weaire then headed over from a Sims corner before the U’s got back on level terms two minutes before half-time.

Campbell Ryce and Fernandes did the initial work to find Dean Ager and he netted with a fine low left foot shot from 25 yards out.

Several home players got bookings but the visitors always seemed to escape the referee’s notebook, which was very surprising when Besast Topalloj pulled down Sims as he broke past down the left but escaped the yellow card.

However the U’s then went ahead on the hour mark.

After Danny Collinge hit the post from a corner, skipper Weaire was on hand to put in the rebound from close range.

Colchester goalkeeper Bailey Vose then saved well from Alexander and he set up Duncan whose effort was beaten away.

But the U's looked to have made the game safe with nine minutes remaining.

After Sims broke down the left and was pulled down in the box by Harry Ransom, Dunne's penalty beat the Millwall keeper inside his right hand post.

There was one late chance for the visitors as a deep cross came in from the right, but Alexander on the back post could not quite reach it.

COLCHESTER UNITED U23: Vose, Trialist A, Weaire, Kensdale, Collinge, Ager, James, Dunne, Campbell-Ryce, Sims, Fernandes. Substitutes: Ige, Trialist B, Hutchinson, Cornish, Coulter.