Triallists make a difference for U's.
That was enough to seal victory ahead of the first team taking their bow on Saturday.They worked the ball into a central position and the midfielder took two touches before smashing home into the top corner past the helpless keeper.
And they took the lead with eight minutes to go with the best goal of the match.
As the U's fitness began to tell, they were afforded a bit more time to play their passing game.
The home defence got themselves into a muddle on the edge of the box and the U's man was on hand to sweep home.
That chance came after the U's hit the post through Byron Lawrence, but they managed to get themselves level on 63 minutes through one of the many triallists on show.
The U's fell behind eight minutes into the second half as the home side retrieved the ball on the right hand side and swung over a ball that the hard working Ollie Mann controlled before sweeping home.
There were not too many clear cut chances in the first half, but the game came to life in the second period as the U's fielded a side of their own U21s players and a smattering of triallists aiming to impress the watching Tony Humes and Richard Hall.
Colchester United's U21s got pre-season off to a winning start on Friday night, as they came from behind to beat Brantham Athletic 2-1.