COLCHESTER United scored two late goals to come from behind and beat Brighton and Hove Albion's under-21s 2-1 in the Papa Johns Trophy tonight.

Goals from Freddie Sears and Frank Nouble in the final minutes helped the U's turned their Group A opener around against the Seagulls youngsters, after Andy Moran had given the visitors a first-half lead.

The win was a boost for Wayne Brown's side in front of a measly crowd of just 479, the U's lowest-ever recorded home attendance for a competitive match that was not played behind closed doors.

Colchester made nine changes to their starting line-up for the game.

The only players to remain in the U’s starting line-up from their weekend draw with Hartlepool United were Tom Dallison and Kwesi Appiah, with Alan Judge playing for the first time in more than a month following a knee problem.

It was a lively start to the contest at a rain-sodden JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester received a let off in the opening seconds when Cam Peupion struck a post for the visitors with a vicious long-range effort.

And soon after at the other end, Kwesi Appiah’s goalbound close-range effort struck a Brighton defender and flew off for a corner.

Back came the Seagulls, with Evan Ferguson’s effort saved by Colchester goalkeeper Sam Hornby and the visitors unable to convert the rebound.

But at the other end, Judge warmed the gloves of keeper James Beadle, who pushed away the experienced midfielder’s free-kick.

Brighton’s Odel Offiah showed a nice piece of individual skill when he exchanged passes with Jack Hinshelwood before dragging a low shot straight at Hornby from inside the area.

But Colchester did look threatening and almost went ahead in the 26th minute through Ossama Ashley, who ran at the Brighton defence before unleashing a powerful low shot that flew just past of the far post.

And the U’s came even closer a few minutes later when Appiah’s downward header at the far post from Judge’s corner flashed inches wide.

Colchester thought they had gone ahead in the 38th minute when stand-in captain Tom Eastman converted at the far post, after Appiah’s effort from Judge’s corner had been blocked.

But after consulting his assistant, referee Alan Young disallowed the effort for handball against Eastman and awarded Brighton a free-kick in their six-yard box.

And minutes later, Colchester were behind.

Andy Moran finished clinically past Hornby after being fed by Peupion, to ensure Brighton went in at the break ahead.

Colchester made a double change at half-time, with Matty Longstaff and Charlie Owens sent on for Ashley and Luke Hannant.

And Longstaff came agonisingly close to scoring just four minutes after coming on when his close-range header clattered the crossbar, after Frank Nouble had nodded Coxe's cross into his path.

Colchester went close again soon after through Nouble, whose near-post header from Dan Chesters' cross sailed inches wide of the target.

And the U's struck the woodwork once again just before the hour when Nouble's close-range effort clattered the outside of the near post, after Appiah had helped Eastman's long ball into his path.

Colchester sent on Beryly Lubala and Freddie Sears just after the hour mark, in a bid to force an equaliser.

And Lubala almost got one soon after coming on with his low strike saved well down to his right by keeper Beadle.

Colchester continued to create chances and Owens came close to an equaliser when he hooked wide off balance in the area, from Sears' pass.

But Brighton remained a threat on the counter attack, with Ferguson breaking away and firing a low shot straight at Hornby.

Colchester finally got the goal they deserved in the 80th minute.

Nouble converted from close range, after Lubala's low effort had been parried into his path by keeper Beadle.

And seven minutes later, Colchester were ahead.

Sears converted from close range, after Nouble's effort from Owens' deep cross had hit a post, as the U's won their Group A opener.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Hornby, Coxe, Eastman, Dallison, Clampin, Ashley (sub Longstaff, 46), Judge (sub Kazeem, 74), Hannant (sub Owens, 46), Chesters (sub Lubala, 64), Nouble, Appiah (sub Sears, 64).

Subs (not used): Chambers, O’Hara.

Brighton and Hove Albion U21: Beadle, Ferguson, Spong, Offiah (sub Packham, 77, Turns, Tsoungui, Furlong, Moran, Peupion, Couchane (sub Ifill, 84), Hinshelwood.

Subs (not used): Everitt, Nilsson, Cahill, Samuels, Barrington.

U's man of the match: Frank Nouble.

Bookings: Brighton: Moran (foul, 61).

Goals: Colchester: Nouble (80), Sears (87). Brighton U21: Moran (44).