FRANK Nouble was sent off against his former club as Colchester United's under-21s lost 4-2 at Ipswich Town in the Professional Development League, writes BRIAN WALLER.

In their first league match for several weeks, a U’s side also featuring the likes of Al Amin Kazeem and Marley Marshall Miranda travelled to Town’s training ground for a derby match against John McGreal's side.

On a chill but sunny afternoon, Colchester had the first effort which saw Town keeper Woody Wiiliamson deny Chay Cooper.

As Ipswich responded Ben Morris broke on the left, but his shot was well blocked.

Then after the U’s came under pressure the ball was lost and Nwabueze was found in the box but he failed to make the most of it, before he fired a shot just wide of the far post soon after.

However Ipswich took the lead when a ball in from the right was converted on the far post by Jesse Nwabueze on 14 minutes.

As Town threatened again, Nwabueze was denied as Jaime Grossart saved down to his left and then Rio Oudnie Morgan fired an effort just wide.

Colchester did have their chances; a Cooper effort flashed just over and then Nwabueze rolled a ball across the goalmouth but nobody could capitalise.

Colchester then had a very good spell as a ball into the box saw a whole series of shots blocked and finally scrambled clear.

There were a couple of penalty shouts before the U's equaliser on 42 minutes when Oscar Thorn drove home a loose ball in the box following a corner.

As the players moved back for the restart, the referee suddenly showed a red card in Nouble's direction, with speculation that he swore in the direction of the referee.

But the U’s almost took the lead when Harvey Sayer fired wide of the post, after Cooper had delivered a cross.

Ipswich restored their lead five minutes after half-time when a ball in from the left saw Ben Morris convert in the centre.

After a ball was lost in a dangerous area Grossart saved well from Morgan and then Chirewa in from the left fired wide of the far post.

Haddoch with a great ball down the line found Chirewa but again Grossart saved well.

Chirewa then fired a free-kick over the bar before the home keeper, venturing out of his box, was rounded by Brad Ihionvien whose effort from a tight angle bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Ipswich then went 3-1 ahead midway through the second half after some superb build up play down the right, with Chirewa getting on the end of a Morris cross to score.

Colchester reduced the deficit with 15 minutes remaining through Cooper, who netted from Ihionvien's cross.

But Ipswich sealed their victory right on full-time through Ben Morris, who got in down the left to score.

Colchester United U21: Jamie Grossart, Trialist A, Trialist B, Frankie Edwards, Al Amin Kazeem, Oscar Thorn, Marley Marshall Miranda, Gene Kennedy, Harvey Sayer, Chay Cooper, Frank Nouble. Subs: Lordan Akolbire, Milton Oni, Kaan Bennett, Bradley Ihionvien, Jayden Peglar.