Colchester United are beaten at Barrow in League Two

Kian Spence's excellent free-kick scored on the stroke of half-time and substitute Sam Foley's stoppage-time strike gave the hosts victory at Holker Street, in front of the 163 U's fans who had made the 650-mile round trip to Cumbria for the game.

Colchester will feel they deserved more from the game, especially as the decision to award Barrow the free-kick that led to their goal was a controversial one after substitute Riley Harbottle had been harshly adjudged to have fouled Cole Stockton, on the edge of the area.

But despite enjoying plenty of possession, the U's did not create enough and were unable to find a way past Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman and the defeat leaves Colchester two points above the relegation zone, following Forest Green's 2-0 win over Walsall.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made three changes to their starting line-up, with Harry Anderson, Mandela Egbo and Arthur Read in for Harbottle, John Akinde and Ellis Iandolo, who missed out with a quad injury.

The U’s starting brightly in the swirling wind, constantly looking for Jayden Richardson’s runs from right wing-back.

But Barrow almost went ahead in the tenth minute when Cole Stockton tried his luck with an audacious attempt from the centre circle which sailed over, after spotting Owen Goodman off his line.

Colchester had their penalty appeals rejected six minutes later after Tyrell Warren appeared to handle in the area, with Barrow goalkeeper Farman then forced to turn the ball over for a corner from underneath his own crossbar under pressure from Tom Hopper.

However, Emile Acquah’s effort was cleared for a corner near his own goal-line by Connor Hall, after Tom Dallison had given the ball away in a dangerous area.

Colchester were forced into an early change when Egbo was forced off with an injury, with Harbottle on in his place.

It looked like the U’s would head in at the break deservedly on level terms.

But after Harbottle had been harshly adjudged to have fouled Stockton on the edge of the Colchester area, Barrow went ahead in the fourth minute of time added on at the end of the first half when Spence curled a fine free-kick past the wall and Goodman and into the net.

The half-time scoreline was harsh on Danny Cowley’s side but they showed intent in the early stages of the second half.

However, Goodman did make a smart stop soon after the break to deny Spence, after the hosts had raced away on the counter attack.

After making a double change, sending on Jayden Fevrier and Brad Ihionvien, the U's came close to an equaliser just after the hour mark when McGeehan's low long-range effort was pushed away for a corner by Farman.

And Colchester almost secured an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining, after Fevrier dribbled towards goal before curling in a shot which whistled past the post.

But Foley slammed into the roof of the net from two yards from fellow substitute Ben Whitfield's low cross in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal Barrow's win, as the U's fell to only their second defeat under the Cowley brothers.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Egbo (sub Harbottle, 38), Dallison, Hall, Richardson (sub Fevrier, 59), Read, Smith (sub Jay, 73), Chilvers, Anderson (sub Ihionvien, 59), McGeehan, Hopper (sub Akinde, 73).

Subs (not used): Mingi, Hornby.

Barrow: Farman, Feely, Campbell (sub Foley, 69), Ray, Spence, Gotts, Warren (sub Telford, 73), Chester, Newby (sub Stephenson, 73), Acquah (sub Whitfield, 73), Stockton (sub Ogungbo, 80).

Subs (not used): Lillis.

Goals: Barrow: Spence (45), Foley (90).

Bookings: Colchester: Richardson (foul, 13), Ihionvien (handball, 82), Hall (unsporting behaviour, 83). Barrow: Stephenson (unsporting behaviour, 83).

Referee: Scott Jackson.

Attendance: 3,631 (163 U’s fans).