COLCHESTER United's under-23s lost 1-0 at home to Wigan Athletic in their latest Professional Development League match this afternoon, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Harry McGee's second-half strike was enough to give the Latics victory against a U's side featuring the likes of Junior Tchamadeu, Gene Kennedy and Jake Turner, at Maldon and Tiptree FC.

Colchester were dealt an injury blow early on when Harvey Sayer needed lengthy treatment and was eventually forced off after just 12 minutes and replaced by Tom Stagg.

Divin Baningime fired wide for Wigan in the opening stages and Turner denied McGree as the visitors, who featured James Carragher, the son of former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher, pressed for an opener.

Colchester almost went ahead when a terrible back pass by a Wigan player sailed over his backtracking keeper’s head and was so close to going in for a horrendous own goal, but dropped narrowly wide of the far post.

The U’s best chance of the half came just before half-time.

Chay Cooper's deflected effort from the left hit the top of the bar. after Jake Hutchinson's ball across had initially eluded a home player in the centre.

Turner made a good block to foil McGee, as the sides went in goal-less at the break.

The only goal of the game came just before the hour mark.

Baningime on the left found McGee in the centre and his precise low right-foot shot beat Turner, down to his right.

Adam Long's back-post header sailed wide for the Latics soon after and Welsh's first-time shot flew just wide, as the Latics looked for a second.

But Colchester then created two great chances.

Cooper's effort was saved by Wigan keeper Tickle at the second attempt from Stagg's clever flick, after Donell Thomas and Andre Hasanally had combined.

And soon after, Kennedy played a one-two with Thomas and slipped it between the defender’s legs before continuing his run in the box.

He went down under a challenge but no penalty was given.

Tickle held on to Harry Beadle’s back-post header while at the other end, Baningime got the better of Hasanally down the left, but Turner saved at his near post.

Turner then denied Lloyd and Costello and Wigan really should have sealed their win as Turner saved Baningime's effort and Corrigan tapped in, only to be promptly flagged offside.

But a single goal proved to be enough for Wigan.

Colchester United: Jake Turner, Junior Tchamadeu, Harry Beadle, Harry Taylor, Emmanuel Martins, Gene Kennedy, Marley Marshall-Miranda, Chay Cooper, Jake Hutchinson (sub Andre Hasanally), Donell Thomas, Harvey Sayer (sub Tom Stagg).

Subs (not used): Frankie Terry, Ryan Lowe, Endurance Johnson.