COLCHESTER United were beaten 2-1 at home by League Two promotion chasers Stockport County, on Tuesday night.

Paddy Madden's goal on the hour proved the winner on the night, after Cameron McGeehan had cancelled out Nick Powell's opener, which came courtesy of an error by U's goalkeeper Owen Goodman, in the first half.

McGeehan had a penalty saved by Stockport goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe, midway through the second half.

Here are the U's player ratings, after Colchester suffered a second successive defeat.

OWEN GOODMAN 5

Will be hugely disappointed with the manner of Powell’s goal; had earlier made fine save to deny Madden

FIACRE KELLEHER 6

Produced a typically competitive display on his first start for nearly four months. Booked

Gazette:

JAY MINGI 7

U’s man of the match. Continued his excellent form in his new centre-back role. Booked

CONNOR HALL 6

U’s captain tried his best to drive his team on against a lively Stockport attack

ELLIS IANDOLO 6

Was largely neat and tidy at left wing-back and added something to the U’s attack

Gazette:

ARTHUR READ 7

Performed well again in midfield and provided a great set-piece assist for McGeehan’s goal

NOAH CHILVERS 6

Was effective in spells against the league leaders on his return to the starting line-up

HARRY ANDERSON 5

Worked hard for his side before being forced off through injury late in the first half

Gazette:

CAMERON MCGEEHAN 6

Scored his ninth goal of the season and performed well but had a vital penalty saved by Hinchliffe. Booked

TOM HOPPER 7

Provided the assist for McGeehan’s goal and won the penalty that was saved; effective in the air

JOHN AKINDE 6

Put in a shift for the team and forced Hinchliffe into an early save at his near post

Gazette:

SUBSTITUTES

JAYDEN FEVRIER (for Anderson, 40) 6

Gave the Stockport defence something different to think about at right wing-back

TOM DALLISON (for Kelleher, 68) 6

Put in a solid performance in the final half hour or so after coming off the bench

SAMSON TOVIDE (for Hopper, 68) 5

Tried his best to unsettle the Stockport defence as the clock ticked down

ALISTAIR SMITH (for McGeehan, 75)

Subs (not used): Richardson, Ihionvien, Hornby.