COLCHESTER United avoided any FA Cup fireworks on Bonfire Night following a comfortable 4-0 first-round victory at non-league neighbours AFC Sudbury.

The U's eased through against their Pitching In Isthmian League division north neighbours in the televised tie, thanks to goals from Brendan Wiredu, Freddie Sears, Sylvester Jasper and substitute Shawn McCoulsky.

AFC Sudbury, of the eighth tier, put up a fight against the League Two visitors but Colchester's class showed, as they booked their place in the second round.

Colchester boss Hayden Mullins made two changes to his starting line-up for the game against AFC Sudbury.

Junior Tchamadeu and Ryan Clampin were both recalled, with Miles Welch-Hayes dropping to the bench and Charlie Daniels dropping out of the squad.

Colchester went close in the opening two minutes when Tom Eastman’s header from Sylvester Jasper’s free-kick into the area appeared goalbound before striking an AFC Sudbury defender.

There was a scare for Colchester soon after when goalkeeper Shamal George failed to hold onto a high free-kick lofted into the U’s area but the ball was eventually cleared.

But the U’s had a penalty appeal turned down when Freddie Sears tumble under a challenge in the area but referee James Bell waved play on.

AFC Sudbury had a sniff of goal when former U’s youngster Marley Andrews’ cross was palmed away from danger in his six-yard box by George before the U’s cleared from under the nose of Cruis Nyadzayo, who was lurking at the far post.

Colchester were forced into a 12th-minute change when Clampin limped off injured and was replaced by Cameron Coxe.

But it did not seem to affect their momentum and they increasingly started to carve out chances.

AFC Sudbury goalkeeper Joshua Blunkell saved from Sears at his near post before then making an even better stop, denying Brendan Wiredu from point-blank range after Sylvester Jasper had driven the ball dangerously into the six-yard box.

Sears’ goalbound low shot was blocked by Joe Grimwood in the area and Noah Chilvers’ first-time effort from the edge of the box was well saved and held by Blunkell, as the visitors turned the screw.

And Colchester deservedly made the breakthrough in the 36th minute when Wiredu turned home at the far post, after Chilvers’ ball into the area had been inadvertently flicked on by a home defender.

It was the goal the U’s had been looking for and less than three minutes later, they had doubled their lead.

Sears fired in a delightful strike past the keeper after Wiredu had laid the ball off to him on the edge of the area, following some neat play by the visitors.

Seemingly not content with their two goals, Colchester pushed for more before the break.

Armando Dobra curled a shot wide of the far post from the edge of the area, as the U’s went in at the break in charge.

The opening stages of the second half were uneventful but the U's continue to control the game.

Dobra cut inside before advancing towards the Sudbury goal and shooting over the bar, just after the hour mark.

AFC Sudbury spurned a gilt-edged chance to halve the deficit when Christian Frimpong headed a great opportunity wide for the hosts at the far post, after Jake Turner had delivered a free-kick into the area.

And it proved pivotal as soon after, Colchester made it 3-0 and effectively sealed the tie.

Jasper curled a fine shot into the far side of the net from a difficult angle, after collecting Dobra's short corner and letting fly.

The goal prompted Colchester to make a triple change, with Shawn McCoulsky sent on for his U's debut and Frank Nouble and Chay Cooper also entering the fray, as the visitors attempted to see the game out.

Grimwood's low effort was saved by George at his near post for a corner in the closing stages before McCoulsky put the icing on the cake for Colchester in stoppage-time with a crisp first-time finish from fellow substitute Luke Hannant's pass, as the U's safely progressed.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Tchamadeu, Chambers, Eastman, Clampin (sub Coxe, 12), Skuse (sub McCoulsky, 72), Wiredu, Chilvers, Dobra (sub Cooper, 72), Jasper (sub Hannant, 77), Sears (sub Nouble, 72).

Subs (not used): Welch-Hayes, Smith, Kennedy, Turner.

U’s man of the match: Brendan Wiredu.

AFC Sudbury: Blunkell, Keys, Harris, Turner, Grimwood, O’Malley, Nyadzayo, Frimpong, Shaw (sub Gilchrist, 78), Temple (sub Clowsley, 54), Andrews (sub Hipkin, 69).

Subs (not used): Adams, Askew, Girling, Mayhew.

Referee: James Bell.

Bookings: Colchester: George (unsporting behaviour, 83), Nouble (90). AFC Sudbury: Andrews (foul, 24), Temple (foul, 47), Keys (foul, 85), O'Malley (unsporting behaviour, 86).

Sending-off: None.

Goals: Colchester: Wiredu (36), Sears (39), Jasper (72), McCoulsky (90).

Attendance: 2,000.