COLCHESTER United's dreadful form continued this afternoon after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Gillingham.

The U's slumped to an eighth defeat in their last nine matches after losing at home to the Gills, in their first game of 2024.

Colchester made three changes to their starting line-up.

Marley Marshall Miranda made his first start of the season and John Akinde started for the first time since mid-August, while Tom Dallison was also recalled, in a 3-4-1-2 formation.

Matt Jay was on the bench and Cameron McGeehan missed out due to suspension, while Will Greenidge dropped out.

It was a subdued atmosphere within the stadium after recent defeats and the tempo of the first half was slow for both teams.

Colchester almost fell behind in the third minute when Dom Jeffries burst into the area but was denied by Owen Goodman, who made a smart low save.

But Colchester squandered a great chance in the 14th minute when leading scorer Joe Taylor somehow missed the target at the far post, after Noah Chilvers had latched onto Akinde's nod down and delivered a low cross.

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Referee Sam Purkiss waved away any claims for a penalty when Jayden Fevrier took a tumble in the box but at the other end, Max Ehmer's header was pushed way by the diving Goodman after Connor Mahoney had delivered a free-kick into the U’s box.

Colchester went in level at the break level but received a let off just after half-time when Oli Hawkins' header from Mahoney's delivery into the box clattered the woodwork.

And the U's fell behind in the 54th minute when Malone collected Jefferies pass and escaped Jayden Fevrier's challenge near the touchline before advancing into the area and planting a shot past Goodman at his near post.

The goal was met with boos from many of the home fans and it was very nearly 2-0 four minutes later when Shad Ogie’s close-range effort clattered the woodwork.

Tom Hopper and Bradley Ihionvien were sent on just after the hour in a bid to gain an equaliser and Hopper just failed to connect with Chilvers' curled ball into the six-yard box. as the hosts pressed.

But they were unable to muster an equaliser, as their terrible form continued.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Dallison, Hall, Mitchell, Iandolo (sub Edwards, 76), Fevrier, Read, Miranda (sub Cooper, 84), Chilvers (sub Jay, 84), Fevrier, Taylor (sub Ihionvien, 63), Akinde (sub Hopper, 63).

Substitutes (not used): Kazeem, Hornby.

Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Masterson, Ehmer, Jeffries (sub Lapslie, 70), Malone, Coleman, Ogie, Mahoney (sub McKenzie, 83), Nadesan (sub Nicholls, 63), Hawkins (sub Bonne, 63)

Subs (not used): Clark, Clarke, Morris.

Goals: Gillingham: Malone (54).

Bookings: Colchester: Iandolo (foul, 32). Gillingham: Bonne (unsporting behaviour, 80), Lapslie (foul, 90), Malone (unsporting behaviour, 90).

U's man of the match: Marley Marshall Miranda.

Referee: Sam Purkiss.

Attendance: 4,923 (998 Gillingham fans).