COLCHESTER United's under-23s conceded deep into stoppage-time to lose 1-0 at Essex neighbours Southend United in their latest Premier League Cup Group H game, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Dave Huzzey's side featuring the likes of Miles Welch-Hayes, Dean Gerken, Samson Tovide and Gene Kennedy were beaten at Roots Hall.

They played for much of the match with only ten men after Tovide was shown an early red card, against a Blues side that included former Colchester favourite John White and their ex-academy player Rob Howard, who featured in the U’s successful FA Youth Cup run which saw them take on Arsenal in March, 2018.

Colchester went into their fifth group game in this season’s Premier League Cup needing to win to realistically maintain any chance of qualifying from the group.

Southend keeper Fin Purcell was booked early on for fouling Tovide outside his area and then cautioned Harry Phillips for simulation.

Then after an injury to Tovide and treatment needed after a clash with White, the U’s striker then got his marching orders for a foul on the former U's defender from behind.

The first real chance of the game came on 20 minutes but home central defender Jimmy Wallace fired straight at Gerken.

Midway through the half, Southend's Louis Walsh cutting in from the wing got his shot away but this lacked real power.

As the hosts continued to exert the pressure Walsh and Howard nearly found Cameron Brown with a pass before Colchester had their first opening just after the half hour mark.

Andre Hasanally found Chay Cooper but good anticipation by White saw him across to clear the danger.

Seven minutes before half-time Joe Benton went down in the box but penalty shouts were waved away.

Then Just before the interval, after a foul on Walsh, Phillips’ free-kick fell to Tayo Adejola who flashed a shot across goal.

After Howard slipped in own area, Ryan Lowe saw an opening but White made a superb block on his shot, as the sides went in level at the break.

Three minutes after the restart, Welch-Hayes cleared off the line from Phillips before Howard set up Benton but he was then denied by a good save from Gerken.

Two minutes later Southend were awarded a penalty after a foul on Louie Arrowsmith but the effort by Walsh hit the right hand post and was then scrambled clear.

From a Phillips’ free kick, Wallace’s header was easily saved and then Welch-Hayes was booked for a foul on Phillips.

Donell Thomas went on to replace Hasanally before Harvey Sayer was booked for dissent.

After Crowhurst was fouled, Marley Marshall-Miranda received a yellow card for delaying the free kick.

Benton and Phillips saw their shots go wide and just over the bar as the game reached the last ten minutes.

After Benton saw his shot easily saved, the home team won it with a goal deep into injury-time.

Benton and Adedoja combined to set up Walsh, who fired a right-foot shot into the top corner of the net.

Colchester United: Dean Gerken, Miles Welch-Hayes, Harry Beadle, Gene Kennedy, Harvey Sayer, Andre Hasanally (sub Donell Thomas), Marley Marshall-Miranda, Chay Cooper (sub Jake Hutchinson), Ryan Lowe (sub Emmanuel Martins), Sam Cornish, Samson Tovide. Substitutes (not used): Kaan Bennett, Endurance Johnson.