COLCHESTER United suffered a heavy home defeat at the hands of in-form Barrow this afternoon.

Two stoppage-time goals sealed the U's fate at the JobServe Community Stadium, after Cameron McGeehan's first-half strike had given them the lead in the League Two clash.

It was a painful defeat in the end for the U's, who had played well for much of the game and created a hatful of chances but ultimately had nothing to show for their efforts.

Colchester made two changes to their starting line-up from their last league game, following their defeat at Stockport County, seven days earlier.

Goalkeeper Tom Smith made his second league start of the season in place of Owen Goodman who missed out with an ankle injury, while top scorer Joe Taylor returned from international duty, replacing injured midfielder Jay Mingi.

Colchester were looking to make a positive start in the opening stages, against a Barrow side who went into the game on the back of eight unbeaten league matches.

But the visitors looked the brighter footballing side early on and almost went ahead in the 13th minute when Robbie Gotts' long-range effort flew just over the bar, after a patient build-up by the visitors.

At the other end, Jayden Fevrier drilled a weak low shot straight at veteran goalkeeper Paul Farman after good build up by the hosts.

Colchester took the lead in the 20th minute.

Fevrier advanced towards the area and then curled in a low shot that was spilled by Farman at the feet of Cameron McGeehan, who was able to gleefully prod the ball home from close range.

Colchester went in search of more goals before half-time and it was almost 2-0 when Fevrier forced Farman to push his fierce shot past the post for a corner.

Barrow’s Dom Telford screwed a great opportunity wide from close range after Proctor had done well to pick him out in the Colchester area.

And in first-half time added on, Kian Spence's 25-yard free-kick sailed inches wide of the near post for the visitors.

The minutes added on at the end of the first half proved very eventful.

Farman twice denied Taylor from point blank range after Tovide had picked out his team-mate in the area, following a swift break.

And in the final seconds of the half, Barrow were denied a penalty when Gotts tumbled in the area under Zach Mitchell’s challenge, much to the fury of their manager Pete Wild, who was sent off by referee Declan Bourne.

Gotts was stretchered off and was replaced by Tom White at the break and Colchester almost doubled their lead just after half-time when Farman denied Taylor in the six-yard box, after McGeehan had picked him out in the area.

But Barrow equalised in the 53rd minute when Telford’s effort came back off the crossbar and hit Colchester defender Will Greenidge, before rolling into the empty net.

Colchester squandered a great chance to regain their lead five minutes later when McGeehan raced through on goal from Taylor's pass and went past Farman but sent a weak shot past the near post and the chance went begging.

Taylor’s deflected effort spun just wide for the U’s on the hour and gaps started to appear at both ends, following what had been a pretty breathless contest.

Brad Ihionvien was sent on for Tovide with 15 minutes remaining as Colchester searched for a winner and five minutes later, Chilvers was denied by Farman from close range, after McGeehan had spotted his run into the area.

Colchester were reduced to ten men in the 85th minute when Fevrier received a second caution for a foul on Newby.

And Barrow went ahead a minute later when George Ray prodded in from close range, after the U's defence had failed to clear a Newby corner.

Things got worse for Colchester in stoppage-time when Ray converted a third from close range from Kian Spence’s pass before Zach Mitchell diverted Spence’s cross into his own net a minute later, as the hosts were beaten.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Smith, Greenidge, Dallison, Mitchell, Egbo, McGeehan, Read, Chilvers, Fevrier, Tovide (sub Ihionvien, 76), Taylor.

Substitutes (not used): Kelleher, Kennedy, Cooper, Jay, Hopper, Collins.

Barrow: Farman, Campbell, Ray, Canavan, Gotts (sub White, 46), Chester (sub Feely, 73), Stevenson (sub Worrall, 73), Spence, Proctor (sub Whitfield, 77), Newby, Telford (sub Acquah, 73).

Substitutes (not used): Lillis.

Goals: Colchester: McGeehan (20). Barrow: Greenidge (own goal, 52), Ray (86, 90), Mitchell (own goal, 90).

Bookings: Colchester: McGeehan (foul, 37), Tovide (unsporting behavour, 45). Barrow: Stephenson (foul, 8), Telford (unsporting behaviour, 44), Proctor (unsporting behaviour, 45).

Red card: Colchester: Fevrier (two bookable offences, 85). Barrow: Pete Wild (Barrow manager).

Referee: Declan Bourne.

Attendance: 3,263 (138 Barrow fans).