TEN-MAN Colchester United under-23s were beaten 4-1 at Cardiff City in their latest Professional Development League Two match this afternoon, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U's were forced to play almost the entire game with a depleted number following defender Billy Cracknell's red card in the third minute.

The U’s made the long trip to South Wales to take on a Cardiff side who had won their last two games, including a 4-0 victory over Ipswich Town.

Dave Huzzey and Richard Hall's side featured first-team players such as Josh Bohui and Junior Tchamadeu, in their starting line-up.

 

 

But it was not the best of starts for the U’s as they lost Cracknell to a red card as he was deemed to be the last man when making a foul as the home player raced through.

Cardiff went close just after the quarter hour mark when Davies hit a post.

After a tussle with Tom Stagg, home player Denham was booked as he brought him down on the edge of the area.

But the Bluebirds made their player advantage pay off with a goal by Patten, on the half hour.

And Colchester fell further behind two minutes later when Davies scored from the spot.

The U's made a change just before the interval, with a trialist replacing Donell Thomas.

And soon after half-time, the U’s got a goal back with a penalty from Stagg after 57 minutes.

But midway through the half, Cardiff added a fourth goal thanks to an own goal by the U's substitute trialist.

Colchester made a further change with Ryan Lowe replacing Lordan Akolbire.

But they were unable to reduce the deficit before the end, as the U's fell to defeat.

U's squad: Johnson, Tchamadeu, Cracknell, Tricker, Akolbire (sub Lowe), Marshall Miranda, Cornish, Thomas (sub trialist), Bohui, Hutchinson, Stagg.