Despite taking the lead through John Akinde, the U's were beaten by promotion-chasing Wrexham at the JobServe Community Stadium.
After a goalless first half, the U's took the lead early on in the second half with John Akinde netting eight minutes after the restart.
But a quick equaliser from Paul Mullin came for the visitors, with Cleworth's header turning the game around ten minutes before full time.
The U's stay in the bottom two, behind Sutton United by a point. Danny Cowley's side host league leaders Stockport County on Tuesday evening.
Colchester United boss Danny Cowley made two changes to the side from Easter Monday’s game against Tranmere Rovers. Tom Dallison and John Akinde were promoted from the bench to start, while Jayden Fevrier and Brad Ihionvien were named amongst the subs.
It meant the U’s were led by Hopper and Akinde in attack, with Read, Smith and McGeehan making up a midfield trio. Ellis Iandolo moved out to the wing, with Harry Anderson on the opposite side as Hall, Dallison and Mingi lined up in a back three.
The opening ten minutes were steady, with both teams seemingly happy to have an equal share of possession.
After twelve minutes, t was a quick interchange in the right channel that brought about the first run into the box. The U’s played some neat football between Mingi and Anderson, with Jay getting the better of his man before being brought down in the penalty area by Mendy, however, the referee would wave for play to continue.
The visitors had a break on from the resulting corner, with Paul Mullin clean through – he stumbled on the ball though and shot wide of Goodman’s goal.
Colchester United kept pressing though, and had their best opportunity so far after fifteen. John Akinde eased Okonkwo out of the way from a long ball, but Connor Hall couldn’t convert from inside the penalty area.
Continuing their good play, Jay Mingi spotted the run of Ellis Iandolo between defenders as they pair closed in on goal. Frustratingly for the U’s, Iandolo lost his footing as the ball ran out for a goal kick.
The first yellow card of the afternoon was handed out to Wrexham’s George Evans for a late challenge on Arthur Read with fifteen left to play, although both looked hurt from the tackle.
Comfortably the better side in the opening half hour, Danny Cowley’s side went close again, this time through John Akinde. Ellis Iandolo did well to win a corner on the far side, with Akinde’s flicked header fizzing over the top of the crossbar.
The first change of the game was enforced for Phil Parkinson’s side, with Jacob Mendy pulling up holding his hamstring. He was duly swapped for former U’s man Elliot Lee.
Cameron McGeehan was first to test Okonkwo in the visiting goal after some neat counter-attacking football. The U’s had plenty of possession, and were patiently building up, with McGeehan taking the effort, but it was easy for the goalkeeper to collect.
The U’s ended the half on top, but couldn’t add the goal to their play with the teams heading into half time goalless.
Neither side opted for a change at the break, but the U’s continued from where they left off and took the lead eight minutes after the restart. John Akinde and Cameron McGeehan combined on the edge of the penalty area, with Akinde the man to rifle home with power in the fifty-third.
But the away side would hit back within ten minutes through Paul Mullin. A lapse in concentration allowed a simple cross to be delivered with Mullin nodding home from inside the penalty area.
Both teams responded with changes. The U’s made a double change with Jayden Fevrier and Samson Tovide on for Ellis Iandolo and John Akinde, while the visitors swapped Fletcher for Ollie Palmer in attack.
Wrexham were now enjoying their dominant period of the match, having plenty of possession without troubling Owen Goodman in goal.
Danny Cowley opted for a third change of the afternoon, bringing on Noah Chilvers in place of Alistair Smith with just over ten to play.
The visitors made two more changes with less than ten to play as Bolton and Marriott replaced Mullin and Barnett, with Parkinson’s team taking the lead a minute later.
From a cross, Cleworth found the space to nod into the far corner, giving his side a late lead.
Danny Cowley made two late changes with Hopper and Dallison replaced by Ihionvien and Jay.
The U’s pressed forward but couldn’t find a late equaliser.
Colchester United stay in the drop zone, a point behind Sutton United who also lost this afternoon.
Next up, the U’s host Stockport County.
Colchester United starting XI: Goodman, Iandolo (Fevrier 67’), Hall, Dallison (Jay 89’), McGeehan, Hopper (Ihionvien 89’), Read, Anderson, Mingi, Akinde (Tovide 67’), Smith (Chilvers 79’).
Subs: Hornby, Kelleher, Jay, Tovide, Chilvers, Fevrier, Ihionvien.
Wrexham starting XI: Okonkwo, Mullin (Marriott 83’), Evans, O’Connell, Mendy (Lee 34’), Cannon, O’Connor, McClean, Fletcher (Palmer 67’) Barnett (Bolton 83’), Cleworth.
Subs: Howard, Tozer, Davies, Palmer, Marroitt, Bolton, Lee.
Attendance: 8,438 (1,272)
