COLCHESTER United's League Two status is still not secure after they lost 1-0 at Notts County this afternoon.

Macauley Langstaff's second-half strike condemned the U's to defeat at Meadow Lane, leaving them three points above the relegation zone.

Colchester do have a game in hand on Sutton - a home match against play-off chasing Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made three changes to his starting line-up for the U’s final away game of the season.

Jayden Richardson, Riley Harbottle and Noah Chilvers all returned to the team, with John Akinde dropping to the bench, Tom Dallison missing out due to suspension and Alistair Smith out with an ankle injury.

Chay Cooper, recalled from his loan spell at Hartlepool United, was on the bench along with Oscar Thorn, who was promoted from the under-21s.

Colchester were aiming to make a good start and they almost took a fifth-minute lead, in bizarre circumstances.

Ellis Iandolo’s audacious attempt from just inside the hosts' half was fumbled by Luca Ashby-Hammond and hit the bar, before being collected by the grateful Notts County goalkeeper.

It was a fine effort by Iandolo and the U’s left-back then showed quality at the other end ten minutes later, making a brilliantly timed challenge on Macauley Langstaff in the area just as the Notts County striker was about to shoot, after Scott Robertson's precise through ball had split the U's defence.

Notts County, the division’s highest scorers, came even closer to taking the lead in the 20th minute when Jodi Jones’ first-time effort from close range bounced off the top of the crossbar and off for a goal-kick, after Aaron Nemane had got to the byline and picked him out.

Gazette:

The hosts had a penalty appeal rejected after Jones tumbled under Jay Mingi's challenge in the area and U’s skipper Connor Hall did well to clear from near his own goal-line after Kyle Cameron had nodded Sam Austin’s cross towards goal, as Notts County pressed.

Colchester had a decent chance to go ahead just before half-time when Cameron McGeehan’s header flew straight at Ashby-Hammond, after Richardson had picked him out with a cross, as the sides went in level at the break.

Crowley's shot was blocked after Hornby parried a cross straight into Jim O'Brien's path in the area before Colchester fell behind in the 54th minute.

Langstaff slammed a shot in off the crossbar to give the hosts the lead, after Crowley had picked him out in the area.

Hornby pushed Jones' effort over for a corner and Harbottle's header struck the outside of a post before going off for a goal-kick, as the clock ticked down.

Hornby denied Crowley and David McGoldrick in stoppage time, as the U's were beaten.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Hornby, Richardson (sub Wilkinson, 68), Mingi, Harbottle, Hall, Iandolo, Read, Chilvers, Fevrier, McGeehan, Hopper (sub Akinde, 61).

Subs (not used): Kelleher, Cooper, Thorn, Ihionvien, Goodman.

Notts County: Ashby-Hammond, Cameron, Baldwin, Macari, Jones, Nemane, Robertson, O'Brien (sub McGoldrick, 83), Crowley, Austin, Langstaff (sub Scott, 71).

Subs (not used): Slocombe, Mahovo, Brindley, Randall, Colkett, McGoldrick.

Goals: Notts County: Langstaff (54).

Bookings: Colchester: Mingi (unsporting behaviour, 53), Chilvers (foul, 90), Read (foul, 90). Notts County: Jones (foul, 89).

Red card: None.

Referee: Darren Drysdale.

Attendance: 11,037 (756 U's fans).