Colchester United fell to a disappointing 4-1 home defeat against Cheltenham Town on Saturday afternoon.

Kurtis Guthrie put the U's ahead but after Kyel Reid was sent off just before half-time, goals from substitute Sanmi Odelusi, Nigel Atangana, Jerell Sellars and Mohamed Eisa gave the Robins all three points at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and ended the U's six-match league unbeaten run.

The result sees Colchester remain two points off the League Two play-off places in ninth place and John McGreal’s men travel to play old foes Wycombe Wanderers, next weekend.

Here, Colchester United reporter Jonathan Waldron rates the players following the disappointing 4-1 defeat:

SAM WALKER 7

U’s keeper made some good saves and did not deserve to be on the wrong end of a 4-1 defeat.

RYAN JACKSON 6

Had a really effective first half with his driving runs and low crosses but had little joy after that.

TOM EASTMAN 5

Had a challenging second half; might have done better with Atangana’s goal. Booked.

FRANKIE KENT 5

Denied by Flinders early on but was caught out by Eisa’s sharp turn for Cheltenham’s fourth.

KANE VINCENT-YOUNG 6

Had a solid first half at left-back before being forced off with an injury at half-time.

DREY WRIGHT 5

Had a shot saved by Flinders late on and had little joy in front of goal again.

TOM LAPSLIE 5

U’s skipper could do little to halt Cheltenham’s second-half surge. Booked.

BRANDON COMLEY 5

Took a nasty whack to the face in the first half before going off just before the hour.

KYEL REID 4

Will be very disappointed with his red card that hugely impacted the contest.

KURTIS GUTHRIE 7

U’s man of the match. Scored a superb goal on his first league start since February 2017.

MIKAEL MANDRON 5

Had little joy up front for Colchester before being substituted with 16 minutes to go.

SUBSTITUTES

COLE KPEKAWA (for Vincent-Young, 46) 5

DOUG LOFT (for Comley, 58) 6

BRANDON HANLAN (for Mandron, 74) 5

SUBSTITUTES (NOT USED): Murray, Szmodics, Ogedi-Uzokwe, Gilmartin.