COLCHESTER United conceded a late, late goal against Bristol Rovers to bow out of the Papa Johns Trophy.
The U's lost 2-1 in the Round of 32 tie at the JobServe Community Stadium, after Harvey Saunders netted deep in stoppage-time for the League One side.
And that seals it!
— Papa Johns Trophy (@PapaJohnsTrophy) November 23, 2022
A 95th-minute goal for @Official_BRFC sends them into the Round of 16.#EFL | #PapaJohnsTrophy pic.twitter.com/ti2AKyZoOz
Colchester boss Matt Bloomfield made one change to his starting line-up, with Kieran O'Hara replacing Sam Hornby between the sticks.
Rovers went close after five minutes when John Marquis headed a good chance straight at O’Hara.
And the U's goalkeeper was called into action again ten minutes later when he pushed a Antony Evans long-range effort around the post.
Colchester then went close midway through the second half when Samson Tovide's powerful header flew just wide, from an Alan Judge corner.
The U's made a change at half-time when Ossama Ashley, who picked up a knock on the half hour, was replaced by midfielder Emyr Huws who continued his own injury comeback.
The deadlock was broken eight minutes into the second half when James Connolly headed in at the back post, after Bobby Thomas had nodded towards goal following a well-worked free-kick.
FT| We exit the Papa Johns Trophy. #ColU | #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/B4G9PKxo8M
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) November 23, 2022
U's boss Bloomfield made changes straight away, bringing on Freddie Sears and Matty Longstaff for Tovide and Judge in a bid to force an equaliser.
Bristol Rovers had to make a change of their own soon after, with James Belshaw sent on between the sticks in place of Anssi Jaakkola, who picked up an injury.
Colchester forced an equaliser, with five minutes remaining.
After cutting inside from the left, he converted a low shot below Belshaw to make it 1-1.
Colchester almost grabbed a winner a minute later when Noah Chilvers' far-post header was cleared off the line, following fellow substitute Dan Chesters' cross.
It looked as though the game was heading for a penalty shoot-out.
But in the seventh minute of stoppage-time, Saunders converted into an empty net following a scramble in the penalty area.
COLCHESTER UNITED: O’Hara, Chambers, Tchamadeu, Kazeem, Smith, Hannant, Judge (sub Longstaff, 54), Ashley (sub Huws, 46), Newby (sub Chesters, 81), Nouble (sub Chilvers, 74), Tovide (sub Sears, 54).
Subs (not used): Eastman, Collins.
Attendance: 669 (50 Bristol Rovers fans).
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