A BRACE from Luke Chambers sent Colchester United through to the last 16 of the Papa John's Trophy after they won 2-1 at League Two rivals Swindon Town tonight.

Chambers struck twice in the first 11 minutes to put the U's in command, at the County Ground.

And although Romoney Crichlow pulled a goal back for the Robins just before half-time, it was not enough to prevent the U's from claiming victory.

Colchester boss Hayden Mullins made two changes to his starting line-up, with Alan Judge and Miles Welch-Hayes in for Luke Hannant and Charlie Daniels.

In contrast, Swindon made 11 alterations to their team.

The contest started in lively fashion and U’s keeper Jake Turner turned Jayden Mitchell-Lawson’s fourth-minute effort away for a corner at his near post, after the Swindon attacker had taken on Chambers and advanced into the area.

But Colchester took over after that.

Captain Tommy Smith’s effort deflected just wide for a corner, which in turn saw Judge’s set-piece tipped over by goalkeeper Lewis Ward.

But from Judge’s third successive corner, Chambers had the freedom of the area to confidently head home his first-ever goal for Colchester and give them an early lead.

And it was the same two players who combined again to double the U’s advantage, five minutes later when Chambers stooped to head home Judge’s free-kick into the area.

It looked at that stage that Colchester might run away with it.

Leading scorer Freddie Sears was denied by Ward who made a good block after a mistake in the Swindon defence while minutes later, Chambers almost completed a first-half hat-trick when his goalbound header from Judge’s corner hit a defender on the line and was kept out.

Armando Dobra wasted another gilt-edged chance when he headed Judge’s delivery wide, with Sylvester Jasper and Noah Chilvers also queuing up to score.

But Swindon improved in the final stages of the first half, with Turner having to push away Harry McKirdy’s curled effort at full stretch for a corner.

Colchester almost made it 3-0 when Sears’ effort, which looked to be going wide, was cleared away by the covering Romoney Crichlow.

But the Robins pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage-time through Crichlow converted from close range, after Ryan East had played a ball into the area.

Colchester went in at the break ahead and almost restored their two-goal advantage early in the second half when Noah Chilvers’ low shot was saved by Ward at his near post, after he had cut inside from the left.

The U's made a triple change just before the midway point in the second half, with Hannant, Shawn McCoulsky and Samson Tovide on for Judge, Sears and Sylvester Jasper, as boss Mullins tried to freshen things up.

With 15 minutes remaining, Tovide's powerful effort flashes just wide of the near post after McCoulsky's slide pass had sent him away as Colchester tried to seal their victory.

And in the end, Chambers' brace proved enough to see them progress to the last 16 of the EFL Trophy, the furthest they have progressed in the competition since the 2008-09 season under Paul Lambert.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Turner, Welch-Hayes, Chambers, Smith, Coxe, Skuse, Chilvers, Judge (sub Tovide, 65), Dobra (sub Tchamadeu, 86), Jasper (sub Hannant, 65), Sears (sub McCoulsky, 65).

Subs (not used): Daniels, Cooper, Gerken.

U’s man of the match: Luke Chambers.

Swindon Town: Ward, Crichlow, Grant, Lyden, Dabre, Francis (sub Francis, 57), East, Minturn (sub Dworzak, 89), Mitchell-Lawson, McKirdy (sub Fox, 63), Gilbert.

Subs (not used): Winchcombe, Wynn-Davis, Bunch, Mildenhall.

Referee: David Rock.

Bookings: Colchester: Judge (foul, 14), Smith (foul, 40), Jasper (foul, 55), McCoulsky (foul, 90). Swindon: Francis (foul, 45), Dabre (foul, 82).

Sending-off: None.

Goals: Colchester: Chambers (6, 11). Swindon: Crichlow (45).

Attendance: 1,728 (58 U's fans).