Colchester fell to defeat against Westcombe Park.

They lost their National League division three London and South East encounter 40-20 at Mill Road.

The visitors took an early lead when they scored a converted try inside the opening two minutes.

Colchester hit back with a penalty in front of the posts, kicked by David Higgins, to cut the deficit to 7-3.

However, the home side were reduced to 14 men when Ben Kelland was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes after receiving a yellow card for a tip tackle.

Westcombe used their extra man to good advantage when they scored another converted try for a 14-3 lead.

The visitors then added to their lead with an unconverted try.

But a break from Owen Herbert allowed Damien Brambley to cross for a try and Higgins added the conversion to make the score 19-10.

However, Westcombe answered that with a converted try of their own to go 26-10 in front.

Colchester, though, had the last word in the first half when Rob Heath took the ball at the line-out and went over for an unconverted try.

Westcombe, however, started the second half strongly with a try underneath the posts for an easy conversion and a 33-15 lead.

A kick forward from James Crozier then saw Brett Cutbush touch down for a Colchester unconverted try.

But it was Westcombe Park who brought the curtain down on the afternoon’s proceedings with a converted try for a 40-20 win.