Colchester United beaten at home by Sutton United

Much like in their defeat at Port Vale last weekend, the U's were once again masters of their own downfall after mistakes cost them dear.

Freddie Sears had given Colchester a second-minute lead but goals from David Ajiboye, Rob Milsom and Ben Goodliffe gave Sutton victory on their first-ever visit to the JobServe Community Stadium against a U's side who were reduced to ten men in the first half when teenager Samson Tovide was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

It was an unhappy night all around for Colchester and their fans, some of whom voiced their displeasure at chairman and owner Robbie Cowling throughout much of the game.

Colchester boss Hayden Mullins made three changes to his starting line-up for the game against Sutton.

Eighteen-year-old Gene Kennedy and 17-year-old forward Tovide were both handed their first league starts for the U’s, while Miles Welch-Hayes made the starting line-up for the first time in the league since August 27.

Brendan Wiredu missed out due to suspension, while Tom Eastman and Frank Nouble dropped to the bench.

Junior Tchamadeu (suspended), Ryan Clampin (Covid) and Alan Judge (calf) missed out.

Colchester were looking to make a bright start, on the back of their defeat at Port Vale.

And they were ahead inside two minutes.

Freddie Sears controlled Charlie Daniels’ ball into the area before planting a low shot into the corner of the near post.

It was the perfect start and served to settle any nerves that might have been evident, both on and off the pitch.

But Sutton responded well to the setback and almost equalised five minutes later when David Ajiboye drove at the U’s defence before unleashing a low, powerful shot from a central position that goalkeeper Shamal George did well to hold.

And the visitors did get back on level terms after 12 minutes through Ajiboye, who beat Daniels at the far post to score following Rob Milsom’s deep cross.

The contest continued to ebb and flow and Colchester almost regained their lead four minutes later when Tovide stabbed a deflected shot just wide of the post, after Luke Hannant’s free-kick into the area had not been properly cleared.

But at the other end, Olaofe’s shot into the ground was pushed over athletically by George for a corner after good play by Alistair Smith in the area had set him up.

And things took a real turn for the worse for Colchester soon after when they fell behind and went down to ten men.

After George had uncharacteristically spilled an effort in his six-yard box, Olaofe prodded the ball towards goal and Tovide was adjudged to have deliberately handled on the goal-line, prompting referee Bobby Madley to point to the spot and show the U’s youngster a red card.

Milsom gleefully converted the subsequent penalty to give Sutton the lead and prompt chants of ‘Cowling Out’ from a section of disgruntled U’s supporters, in the South Stand.

Omar Bugiel almost added to Sutton’s lead in first-half stoppage-time with a low shot that sailed just wide from 20 yards after the U’s defence had stood off the Sutton attacker, as Colchester went in at half-time to a chorus of boos from some of the home crowd.

The U's started the second half well and had a penalty appeal rejected when referee Madley adjudged Goodliffe's trip on Sears to be on the edge of the area, booking the Sutton defender when the hosts felt a red card may have been more appropriate.

And Colchester came close to an equaliser when Sears was denied by Coby Rowe's last-ditch challenge in the area, after Smith's error had let him in.

But the U's fell further behind on the hour mark when Goodliffe glanced in Milsom's free-kick to make it 3-1 and make the U's task even harder.

Cameron Coxe was sent on in an advanced right-sided role in a bid to get the hosts back into the game and Chilvers almost reduced the deficit when he ran at the Sutton defence at pace before sending a fierce low shot just wide of the post.

Sears' fine follow-up strike was ruled out for offside after Daniels' free-kick had been saved by keeper Dean Bouzanis, with 16 minutes remaining.

Tommy Smith's header came off a post as the clock ticked down but Colchester slumped to a second successive defeat.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Welch-Hayes, Chambers, Smith, Daniels, Skuse, Kennedy (sub Nouble, 81), Hannant (sub Coxe, 67), Chilvers, Sears, Tovide.

Subs (not used): Eastman, Cooper, Dobra, Jasper, Turner.

Sutton United: Bouzanis, Barden (sub Davis, 86), Rowe, Goodliffe, Ajiboye, Bugiel (sub Sho-Silva, 80), Olaofe (sub Wilson, 66), Boldewijn, Kizzi, Milsom, Smith.

Subs (not used): Wyatt, Randall, House.

U's man of the match: Noah Chilvers.

Referee: Bobby Madley.

Bookings: Colchester: Smith (foul, 57), Chilvers (foul, 82). Sutton: Goodliffe (foul, 55).

Sending-off: Colchester: Tovide (deliberate handball, 27).

Goals: Colchester: Sears (2). Sutton: Ajiboye (12), Milsom (28), Goodliffe (61).

Attendance: 3,013 (273 Sutton fans).