COLCHESTER United bowed out of the Carabao Cup with their heads held high after being edged out by Premier League side Brentford.
The U's put in an excellent display in the second-round tie despite losing 2-0, in front of a noisy crowd of more than 5,500 at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Colchester made six changes to their side for the game against Brentford, following the 3-1 defeat against Leyton Orient.
Goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara was handed his debut, while Tom Dallison made his first start of the season and there were also starting spots for Cole Skuse, Ossama Ashley, John Akinde and Junior Tchamadeu.
Sam Hornby, Luke Chambers, Luke Hannant, Freddie Sears, Cameron Coxe and Frank Nouble dropped to the bench.
Colchester set up with Akinde as their focal point, with Ashley and Alex Newby in the wide positions and Noah Chilvers playing as the number ten.
The tie started in lively fashion, with chances for both teams in the opening minutes.
Halil Dervi O Lu shot just past the target in the first few seconds for Brentford after Shandon Baptiste had set him up just outside the box.
And a minute later at the other end, Newby fired just wide of the post after Noah Chilvers had set him up in a central position, on the edge of the area.
Brentford carved out an even better chance, in the 16th minute.
Shandon Baptiste found himself with time and space in the area but O'Hara was alert to the danger and stole the ball off his toes.
But Colchester began to seriously worry their Premier League visitors as the first half wore on.
The U’s came a whisker from taking the lead, ten minutes before the break.
Dallison headed powerfully wide at the near post from Chilvers’ free-kick.
But just as Colchester were getting on top, Brentford struck.
Keane Lewis-Potter was picked out by Baptiste’s pass in the area and he made no mistakes from close range, to give the visitors a 39th-minute lead.
It meant Colchester went in trailing at half-time despite an enterprising first-half display and they made a change at the break, with Chambers on for Tom Eastman.
The second half was a more sedate affair with few chances for either side.
But the U's contained their top-flight opponents well and stayed disciplined in their shape.
Colchester came agonisingly close to equalising with 18 minutes to go when Newby's stooping header from Tchamadeu's cross was well pushed away by keeper Strakosha for a corner.
And from the resulting set-piece, Dallison headed inches wide for the hosts.
Brentford almost wrapped things up with five minutes remaining when substitute Ryan Devitt's effort crashed against the bar, after O'Hara had denied Baptiste.
And the tie was settled in the first minute of time added on when Ivan Toney's header from Saman Ghoddos' corner hit Mads Bech Sorensen and flew into the net.
MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: O'Hara, Tchamadeu, Dallison, Eastman (sub Chambers, 46), Kaseem (sub Clampin, 64), Skuse, Marshall Miranda (sub Nouble, 83), Ashley (sub Owens, 64), Newby, Chilvers, Akinde.
Subs (not used): Hannant, Coxe, Sears, Tovide, Hornby.
Brentford: Strakosha, Zanka, Onyeka (sub Ghoddos, 56), Dervi O Lu (sub Devitt, 72), Lewis-Potter (sub Toney, 72), Damsgaard (sub Wissa, 64), Baptiste, Janelt, Sorensen, Roerslev (sub DaSilva, 64), Stevens.
Subs (not used): Hickey, Jensen, Jansson, Cox.
U's man of the match: Marley Marshall Miranda.
Referee: James Linington (Newport).
Bookings: Colchester: Dallison (foul, 46), Kazeem (foul, 58). Brentford: Onyeka (foul, 31).
Goals: Brentford: Lewis-Potter (39), Sorensen (90).
Attendance: 5,516 (1,026 Brentford fans).
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