...but qualification remains a real possibility.
Colchester United fell to a 2-1 defeat against Derby County on Monday evening - but still have a good chance of progressing through to the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup.
Eoin McKeown's goal in the second half wasn't enough to trigger a comeback from 2-0 down but, with Hull fighting back from the same scoreline to draw 2-2 with Manchester City, it means that the U's will progress if they avoid defeat to the Tigers at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Thursday night.
The match at St George's Park saw Sammie Szmodics safely get 45 minutes under his belt as the U's also cast their eye over two triallists.
Wayne Brown's men found themselves a goal behind within the first couple of minutes, though, against a Derby side that needed a win to stand a chance of progressing from Group C.
But, despite pressing for a second, the U's couldn't quite find an equaliser so now know what's at stake for the game on Thursday evening.
Eoin McKeown's goal in the second half wasn't enough to trigger a comeback from 2-0 down but, with Hull fighting back from the same scoreline to draw 2-2 with Manchester City, it means that the U's will progress if they avoid defeat to the Tigers at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on Thursday night.
The match at St George's Park saw Sammie Szmodics safely get 45 minutes under his belt as the U's also cast their eye over two triallists.
Wayne Brown's men found themselves a goal behind within the first couple of minutes, though, against a Derby side that needed a win to stand a chance of progressing from Group C.
Calum Macdonald was the man to put the home side in front, getting on the end of Alefe Santos' delivery into the box to score.
The two teams traded chances but it was Derby who extended their advantage late in the first half, as the U's were unable to clear a free kkick and Joe Bateman made it two.
Derby had a man sent off in the second half and the U's got back into the game not long afterwards as they broke on the home defence for Eoin McKeown to grab a goal to give them hope.
But, despite pressing for a second, the U's couldn't quite find an equaliser so now know what's at stake for the game on Thursday evening.
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