COLCHESTER United's under-23s were beaten 4-1 at home by Crewe Alexandra in their latest Professional Development League clash, writes BRIAN WALLER.

A number of trialists featured for the U's academy side in their defeat, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester dominated most of the first half play.

Trialist C and Gene Kennedy both saw efforts go over the bar, while Bradley Ihionvien and Kaan Bennett each fired wide.

At the other end, U's keeper Ted Collins made two good saves in quick succession before the hosts took the lead after 23 minutes.

Marley Marshall-Miranda found Chay Cooper on the right and from his cross, Bennett scored with a pinpoint header back across goal.

Cooper fired wide of the far post soon after but Crewe equalised, ten minutes before the break.

Connor Salisbury escaped down the right and crossed for trialist E, who headed into the home net from close range.

The U's then fell behind, just before the break.

Griffiths' free-kick into the Colchester box appeared to be clearly handled by Lewis Billington but it was not spotted by the officials.

Billington cleverly back-heeled for Salisbury to shoot into the net.

Colchester suffered an injury blow moments later when Ihionvien charged onto the ball, collided with Crewe keeper Will Jaaskelainen and after several minutes of treatment, was led off and replaced by Kai Redgrave.

One of Crewe's trialists headed over just after the break before the visitors extended their lead, 11 minutes after half-time.

Trialist E was played in behind the U’s defence and lifted the ball past an onrushing Collins.

Redgrave dragged two shots wide of the far post in quick succession for the hosts but Collins made two saves in a row from trialist D.

Bennett's shot was saved by Jaaskelainen and Marshall-Marinda drove a shot off target, as Colchester looked for a route back into the contest.

However, Crewe wrapped up their win with 12 minutes remaining.

Kennedy was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box and trialist E completed his hat-trick when he converted the resultant penalty.

After a Marshall-Miranda shot was saved, substitute Sean Brown headed the rebound wide.

Brown shot tamely at Jaaskelainen after being sent clear by Lowe while Onyeka’s shot hit the side netting late on for Crewe, as the hosts were beaten.

U's U23: Ted Collins, Trialist A, Trialist B, Frankie Terry, Trialist C (sub Jaiden Drakes-Thomas), Chay Cooper, Marley Marshall-Miranda, Ryan Lowe, Gene Kennedy, Kaan Bennett (sub Sean Brown), Bradley Ihionvien (sub Kai Redgrave). Subs (not used): Matt Yates, Jaime Tedaldi.