COLCHESTER United exited the Papa John’s Trophy in the group stages after losing 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out at Ipswich Town after a 0-0 draw, writes PHIL HAM.

Young substitute Chay Cooper took the final spot-kick and saw the ball crash back off a post but the U’s emerged from an enthralling contest with a lot of credit as they defiantly held for 90 minutes and also came close to snatching a win.

Colchester gave the home side an almighty scare in the fourth minute when skipper Luke Chambers, back at Portman Road for the first time since departing at the end of last season, sent a long clearance down the right and another ex-Town player, Freddie Sears, did well to keep the ball in play.

Sears then tried to pick out Frank Nouble, also a former Tractor Boy, at the far post but Kane Vincent-Young, who made the journey along the A12 in the opposite direction, got there first to clear at the expense of a corner.

The lively start continued as Joe Pigott had a shot beaten away by Jake Turner and soon afterwards the former AFC Wimbledon striker headed past the keeper, only for the celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag.

Sears had another opportunity but was crowded out as he tried to pull the trigger and then a 16th minute Nouble error almost led to an Ipswich opener. He failed to spot Vincent-Young behind him but the full-back rushed his left-foot effort and the ball flew harmlessly wide.

The home side were even closer to breaking the deadlock just seconds later when Turner pushed a Pigott shot on to the bar and Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry rushed in at full stretch to fire wide on the rebound.

The early action continued at breakneck speed as Turner had to use his legs to keep out another Barry effort and at the other end Luke Hannant’s on-target shot was blocked by Luke Woolfenden.

As half-time approached Noah Chilvers sent Nouble clear on the left and he cut inside on his right foot to let fly with an attempt that Vaclav Hladky saved comfortably.

Ipswich made two changes at the start of the second half, Vincent-Young making way for first team regular Wes Burns and youngster Bailey Clements replacing Myles Kenlock.

Colchester were within a whisker of grabbing a 55th minute lead when Hladky fumbled a Sears shot and after Ipswich replied with a solid shot that Turner parried away Barry also saw his drive blocked.

Turner produced a magnificent save, his best of the night, to foil Scott Fraser as the action continued to swing from one end to the other. The visitors’ response was a move down the left but sub Chay Cooper’s attempt to cut the ball back was anticipated by Hladky.

The fact that Ipswich chose to introduce Bersant Celina from the bench after 70 minutes was a tribute to the U’s and the Kosovan international wasted no time in trying his luck from the edge of the area with a shot that Turner needed two attempts to gather.

Turner was required to fingertip over from a Pigott shot as Ipswich gained the upper hand and after the keeper pushed out a Clements cross the ball ran loose to Sone Aluko, who blasted high over the top.

Colchester were being pinned back as the game entered the final 10 minutes, and again as the fourth official indicated four minutes of stoppage time, but they were gifted an unexpected chance to grab a last-gasp winner.

Home keeper Hladky strayed from his goal to clear and only succeeded in presenting Cooper with the ball and from more than 30 yards he took aim, only to send it wide of the gaping goal.

Penalties

Pigott Ipswich saved

Sears Colchester saved

Chaplin Ipswich scored 1-0

Chilvers Colchester scored 1-1

Harper Ipswich scored 2-1

Hannant Colchester 2-2

Celina Ipswich scored 3-2

Coxe Colchester scored 3-3

Aluko Ipswich scored 4-3

Cooper Colchester missed, hit post 4-3