ARMANDO Dobra featured against his parent club as Colchester United's under-23s lost 3-2 to Ipswich Town, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Dobra, on loan at the U's from Town, suffered a narrow defeat despite leading twice in the game in a very entertaining local derby at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Deadline day signing Camron Gbadebo also played for Colchester, in the Professional Development League Two game.

Harvey Sayer's (pictured below) half volley flashed just wide for Colchester early on before the hosts took the lead after 21 minutes.

Sam Cornish's pass down the right hand channel picked out the run of Chay Cooper who fired his shot into the net.

Cooper's shot flashed just wide of the far post before a hectic period of play saw three goals in two minutes.

A terrible short pass in his own penalty area by Gbadebo then went straight to Tawanda Chirewa who pounced to equalise on the half hour.

But Colchester almost immediately restored their lead through Cornish, who netted from Sayer's cross.

Town quickly replied as a superb curled effort by Tommy Hughes was put away from the left hand edge of the box.

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Sayer then forced the Ipswich keeper to make a save but after Ellis Sullivan lost out in a challenge, it needed a good goalmouth clearance by Gbadebo.

An enthralling first half finished 2-2 and early in the second half, Colchester goalkeeper Endurance Johnson made a point-blank save to deny Chirewa.

Colchester were so unlucky on the hour mark when Dobra's effort came back off the keeper’s right hand post, after Cooper and Donell Thomas had linked up well to set him up.

Harry Beadle headed just off the target for Colchester before Ipswich scored what proved to be their winner.

Sizba's deep cross from the right was met on the far post by the stretching Cameron Humphreys, whose shot went in off the far post.

Colchester were then reduced to ten men when substitute Kai Redgrave caught Fraser Alexander with a challenge which the referee deemed to merit a red card.

There was no late reprieve for the U's, as Ipswich comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to complete the league double over their neighbours.

Colchester United: Endurance Johnson, Ellis Sullivan, Harry Beadle, Camron Gbadebo, Harvey Sayer, Chay Cooper, Sam Cornish, Ryan Lowe, Marley Marshall-Miranda, Armando Dobra, Donell Thomas. Substitutes: Kai Redgrave, Bradley Chakawa and Kacy Parish. Not used: Jaime Tedaldi, Freddie Price.

Ipswich Town: Bert White, Edwin, Agbaje, Cameron Stewart, Elkan Baggott, Tommy Smith, Harley Curtis, Fraser Alexander, Cameron Humphreys, Tawanda Chirewa, Tommy Hughes, Tyreece Simpson. Substitute: Zanda Siziba. Not used: Lewis Ridd, Zak Bradshaw, Ola Bello, Tete Yengi.