JAKE Hutchinson's strike proved only a consolation as Colchester United's under-23s lost 3-1 at Charlton Athletic, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Dave Huzzey and Richard Hall's side fell to defeat in their latest Professional Development League Two match, played at Dartford FC.

When the sides met in the first home league game of this season at the JobServe Community Stadium, the match ended goal-less.

At the start of play, the hosts were fourth in the table whilst the U’s were seventh.

Charlton went into the game after successive 4-3 defeats home to Swansea City and at Bristol City, whilst Colchester had won 1-0 at QPR six days ago.

The match did not start too well for the away side as they fell behind after just nine minutes.

Richard Afrane-Kesey took advantage as a U’s defender slipped and this allowed the home player to break into the box and confidently put his shot away into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Ten minutes later and things got even worse as Colchester conceded a second goal, after 19 minutes.

It came from trialist Samuel Oguntayo who scored a real cracker as he beat his opponent just outside the area and then sent a glorious curled effort over the U’s keeper which dipped just under the bar and into the net.

The 18-year-old scorer was on trial from Kingstonian and had previously interested Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Leeds United and Watford.

The interval arrived with Colchester trailing 2-0 at the break and with a lot to do to get back into the match.

Colchester were briefly back in it with a goal from striker Hutchinson, who broke through to shoot past home keeper Joe Osaghae.

But within a minute, the Addicks had restored their two-goal lead.

Afrane-Kesey squared the ball across for Charles Clayden who smashed the ball into the net from close range.

It sealed victory for Charlton, who move up to third place in the league table.

Colchester United U23 squad: Callum Coulter, Lordan Akolbire, Billy Cracknell, Frankie Terry, Trialist, Marley Marshall-Miranda, Sam Cornish, Josh Bohui, Jake Hutchinson, Andre Hasanally, Tom Stagg, with subs: Matty Tricker, Ryan Lowe, Endurance Johnson and Trialist.

Charlton Athletic: Joe Osaghae, Freddy Barton, Lucas Ness, Harry Taylor, Samuel Oguntayo (trialist), Ruben Carvalho, Terrell Agyemang, Richard Afrane-Kesey, Junior Quitirna and Charles Clayden with subs: Nathan Harvey, Charlie Barker, Kasim Aldoo and Jeremy Sivi (trialist).