A goal in either half gave the U's a final-day defeat against Mansfield Town in the 2022/23 season.
Ben Garner named a side with four changes to the starting eleven for the final game of the 2022/23 season – Junior Tchamadeu (suspension), Samson Tovide (injury), Ossama Ashley (injury) and Fiacre Kelleher were left out, with Tom Dallison, Alex Newby, Marley Marshall Miranda and Jayden Fevrier coming in.
Ted Collins was named among the substitutes for the first time since his injury, while Cole Skuse was fit enough for a space in the eighteen for the final game.
The visitors knew that nothing but a win would give them their only hope of sneaking into the play-off places on the final day. The Stags also needed results to go their way elsewhere, but came out of the blocks quickly and put the pressure on Smith’s goal in the opening twenty minutes, while the U’s were backed by their biggest crowd of the season.
But despite the early pressure, they failed to trouble the Arsenal loanee, with Newby and Hall firing just wide at the other end.
A series of corners brought more noise from the travelling supporters, but Tom Smith was equal to everything thrown at him, including a dangerous Akins volley that stung the palms of the ‘keeper.
Marley Marshall Miranda was the first into the referee’s book after a late challenge on the halfway line, the first of two bookings for the U’s.
The second was more contentious with no official seeming to see a foul on Will Swan. Neither the referee, nor the linesman seemed to indicate a foul on the Mansfield attacker after a collision with Dallison, but a free kick was given after protests from the away bench. The U’s defender was booked, but it was the least of worries for Colchester.
Riley Harbottle was on hand to head beyond Smith, but the protests continued until the half-time whistle from those in blue and white.
Nevertheless, the U’s would have to come from behind if they were going to get anything in their final game.
Neither side made a change at the break, but Akins went close to doubling the advantage of the visitors ten minutes in. His snapshot bobbled just wide of the mark with Smith rooted to the spot, another warning sign for Ben Garner.
Davis Keillor-Dunn then went even closer, striking the woodwork for the visitors, moments before the U’s struck the bar themselves.
John Akinde’s powerful effort cannoned off the frame of the goal after a spell of pressure in the eighteen-yard box, but Connor Hall couldn’t convert the follow up just before the hour mark.
A trio of changes came just after sixty minutes for the U’s; off came Newby, Akinde and Hall replaced by Jay, Hopper and Kazeem.
Cole Skuse was then introduced with fifteen minutes to go as Colchester went in search of an equaliser. And Jayden Fevrier’s attacking runs down the right flank were giving his side hope, as he tussled with Perch on a number of occasions.
Soon after, the U’s made their final changes, with Garner afforded another change with Akinde used as a concussion substitute. Kelleher and Sears were on for the final exchanges as Read and Fevrier made way.
Kelleher headed to an unfamiliar position up front in order to give the U’s a target in attack, but it proved to be too much for the home side.
Nine minutes of stoppage time passed but only after had a chance cleared off the line as Sears went close to a goal.
James Gale added a second for his side with time running out, but it wasn’t enough for Mansfield to get into the top seven.
The final whistle blew with the U’s settling in twentieth position, and looking ahead to the next season.
Colchester United starting XI: Smith, Greenidge, Chambers, Dallison, Chilvers, Read (Kelleher 83’), Newby (Jay 66’), Akinde (Hopper 65’), Hall (Kazeem 65’), Marshall Miranda (Skuse 74’), Fevrier (Sears 83’).
Subs: Collins, Skuse, Sears, Kelleher, Jay, Hopper, Kazeem.
Mansfield Town starting XI: Pym, Harbottle, Akins, Johnson, Perch (Bowery 83’), Quinn (Clarke 83’), Reed (Hartigan 90’), Kilgour, Swan (Gale 90’), Keillor-Dunn (Maris 66’), Boateng (Oates 66’).
Subs: Flinders, Hartigan, Clarke, Bowery, Maris, Oates, Gale.
Attendance: 6,910 (1,350)