Colchester United U23s fell to defeat in their first Premier League Cup group game on Thursday, as Burnley made it two wins out of two so far.
The Clarets side was boosted by the inclusion of experienced front man Nahki Wells, and he proved to be the difference as he notched a first half hat-trick.
Wells opened the scoring after just seven minutes, but not before the U's had had a couple of good chances of their own in that opening period.
Eoin McKeown was unable to slot home after rounding the keeper, before then being denied by another good stop shortly afterwards.
Wells grabbed his first as he lifted an effort into the net from a Burnley corner, and doubled the home side's advantage when he slotted home at the far post to beat Dan Wilks.
Wilks could do little about Burnley's third, as Tinashe Chakwana rifled home a fine effort from eighteen yards out that flew past the U's keeper.
Just before the break, the game was taken further away from the U's, as Wells was felled in the box by Will Wright, who was given a red card. The Bermudan striker made no mistake from the spot to make it 4-0.
The U's were to therefore play the second half with ten men and whilst Burnley continued to create chances, the visitors held their own after the break to prevent any further goals.
A tough start to this year's Premier League Cup campaign for the U's, but they have plenty of time to find a way into the top two in the group.
Colchester: Wilks, Brown, Sturgess, D Wright (Warde 65), Wilson, W Wright, Allarakhia (Kensdale 46), Edge, McKeown, Issa (Ager 60), Sheriff
Sub not used: Kurasik