The U’s have fallen to a slender defeat at Sutton United after a tightly contested match in South London.
Starting brightly, Colchester couldn’t find the opener in the first half before the hosts converted from a spot kick.
Concerning injuries to Alan Judge and Cole Skuse mean the U’s had to alter their tactics, before Ossama Ashley’s red card made it even more difficult for the travelling side.
The second half saw more chances for the hosts, but it remained 1-0 as Sutton claimed all three points.
Colchester United boss Matt Bloomfield named a line-up with just one change from last weekend’s eleven that were beaten at Mansfield Town. Luke Hannant dropped to the bench, with Cole Skuse returning to action for the first time since the end of October in midfield.
John Akinde was named amongst the substitutes, but there was no Freddie Sears or Frank Nouble in the matchday eighteen, the only other changes for the travelling U’s.
The early action in South London was mostly in front of Sutton United’s goal as the U’s went on the attack early on.
But there was concern for the returning Cole Skuse after a nasty looking collision with former U’s man Craig Eastmond. Skuse continued valiantly for another fifteen minutes, but had to be substituted for Luke Hannant mid-way through the half.
Matt Bloomfield’s side pressed on and looked the more dangerous of the two with half chances coming and going for Alan Judge, Juinor Tchamadeu and Dan Chesters. But Colchester couldn’t break the deadlock, as the hosts had a good opportunity of their own.
Omar Bugiel brought out the first save of the game, testing Kieran O’Hara with a header. The U’s captain, Tommy Smith, was cautioned for a foul ten yards inside his own half, with the free kick tossed in to a dangerous area.
Bugiel got his head to the ball, looking to guide the effort into the far corner, but he saw his effort well saved by O’Hara. Getting across quickly, the U’s ‘keeper needed to make contact to deny the hosts the opening goal of the contest.
As the game entered injury time, the referee awarded the hosts a penalty and booked Ossama Ashley, but more concerning for the U’s, Alan Judge looked to have picked up a serious injury.
The Irishman left the pitch on a stretcher after an eight-minute stoppage before Milsom stepped up to convert and give his side the advantage at half time.
Matt Bloomfield opted for two changes at the break, with Tommy Smith and Alex Newby taken off, and replaced by Tom Eastman and Samson Tovide as the U’s looked to get back in the contest.
But the challenge to get back in the game became harder for Colchester seven minutes into the half when they were reduced to ten men. Ossama Ashley was issued a second yellow card after fouling his man on the break, and the U’s had to play the last thirty-five minutes with a player less.
The hosts were able to keep on top of the U’s for much of what remained in the game, with O’Hara tested on a handful of occasions.
But they were unable to add to their advantage, as the U’s were condemned to a narrow defeat against Sutton United.
The result sees the U’s fall to twenty-third in the table after Hartlepool’s win over Crawley Town yesterday evening.
And next up for Colchester is a return to the JobServe Community Stadium, when Salford City visit north Essex next weekend.
Sutton United starting XI: Rose, John, Boldewijn, Smith (Beautyman 72’), Bugiel (Kouassi 89’), Randall, Eastmond, Neufville (Hart 89’), Kizzi, Milsom, Wilson (Fadahunsi 61’).
Subs: Hart, Beautyman, Fadahunsi, Gambin, Kendall, Kouassi, Ward.
Colchester United starting XI: O’Hara, Chambers, Smith (Eastman 46’), Dallison, Skuse (Hannant 21’), Appiah (Akinde 86’), Judge (Huws 45’), Ashley, Newby (Tovide 46’), Tchamadeu, Chesters.
Subs: Collins, Hannant, Chilvers, Eastman, Akinde, Huws, Tovide.
Attendance: 2,528 (275)