COLCHESTER United suffered a 2-1 defeat at ten-man Wrexham this afternoon to slide to a fifth successive League Two loss.

Jayden Fevrier's late strike proved only a consolation as goals from former U's loanee Elliot Lee and a Zach Mitchell own goal condemned the visitors to defeat at the Racecourse Ground despite the hosts having played for more than an hour with only ten men, after George Evans had been sent off for a foul on Cameron McGeehan.

Colchester produced some good approach play at times and had plenty of possession but ultimately, were not able to make it count in North Wales.

Colchester boss Matty Etherington made one change to his starting line-up for the game at Wrexham.

Noah Chilvers returned to the side and skippered the team, with the injured Samson Tovide dropping out.

Ellis Iandolo returned from a four-month injury lay-off to take his place on the bench, while young centre-back Ronny Nelson was also among the substitutes.

Colchester were looking for a solid start but they fell behind to Wrexham’s first meaningful attack, in the fourth minute.

Former U’s loanee Lee fired home at the second attempt from eight yards after his first effort had been blocked by Mitchell, following Ben Tozer's long throw into the box.

It was the worst possible start for Colchester but they responded well to the setback and a great piece of skill by Jayden Fevrier saw him go past two Wrexham defenders before sending a weak low shot straight at goalkeeper Mark Howard.

Colchester had their fair share of possession in the first half after going behind, without truly testing home goalkeeper Howard.

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But their cause was helped just before the half hour when George Evans was sent off for serious foul play, following a bad challenge on Cameron McGeehan in the centre circle.

Chilvers’ low 20-yard effort whistled just past the post soon after and Colchester enjoyed their fair share of the possession but Wrexham came close to scoring again just before the break when James McClean's volley whistled just past the post, after a Tozer throw had not been properly cleared.

Colchester went in at the break behind but had enjoyed 65 per cent of the possession in the first half and were still well in the game.

However, they almost fell further behind in the opening minute of the second half when Owen Goodman denied Paul Mullin at his near post, after the U's defence had been caught out by a long ball.

Colchester made a double change on the hour, sending on Iandolo and John Akinde for Matt Jay and Will Greenidge.

But the U's fell further behind in the 70th minute when Mitchell sliced into his own net in front of goal, from McClean's delivery.

Colchester gave themselves hope in the 89th minute when Fevrier converted at the far post, after McGeehan's close-range strike was saved by Howard from close range, from Iandolo's cross.

But despite there being seven minutes of stoppage time added on at the end, the U's could not muster an equaliser to fall to defeat in North Wales.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Greenidge (sub Iandolo, 61), Kelleher, Mitchell, Egbo, McGeehan, Read, Chilvers (sub Ihionvien, 85), Jay (sub Akinde, 61), Fevrier, Taylor.

Substitutes (not used): Nelson, Cooper, Hopper, Hornby.

Wrexham: Howard, Tozer, Evans, O'Connell (sub Boyle, 80), Mendy, Cannon, O'Connor, McClean, Lee (sub Davies, 87), Mullin (sub Palmer, 87), Dalby (sub Jones, 46).

Subs (not used): Forde, Bickerstaff, Palmer, McNicholas.

Goals: Colchester: Fevrier (89). Wrexham: Lee (4), Mitchell (own goal, 70).

Bookings: Colchester: Taylor (unsporting behaviour, 44), Kelleher (foul, 74). Wrexham: Evans (foul, 20), McClean (foul, 37), Tozer (unsporting behaviour, 56), Davies (unsporting behaviour, 90).

Red card: Wrexham: Evans (serious foul play, 27).

Referee: Ollie Yates.

Attendance: 9,746 (665 Colchester fans).