Summer signing Lyle Taylor scored for the first time for Colchester United as the U’s fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Peterborough United during their latest pre-season friendly.

The match was initially planned to take place at the JobServe Community Stadium. But earlier in the week, it was announced the game would move to the League One side’s idverde Training Ground facility, as Colchester look to maintain the integrity of their heavily modified pitch.

The U’s headed into the lead midway through the first half.

Owura Edwards was fouled inside the hosts’ 18-yard box, which gave Taylor the opportunity to register a goal in Colchester colours.

And he did just that, finding the bottom corner and giving Jed Sterr little hope in the Posh goal.

But it didn’t take long for Peterborough to level.

Posh’s build-up down the left-hand side reached Joel Randall, whose fierce cross was met by Ben Goodliffe. His diving header beat Matt Macey and soared into his own goal, his second so far in pre-season.

Posh then took the lead with little over five minutes until the break.

Former U’s player Kwame Poku had his free kick expertly saved by Macey but shortly after, the U’s had failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Emmanuel Fernandez’s initial header could not be steered away from goal and inexplicably led to the hosts’ second goal in less than 15 minutes.

Though the second half consisted of less drama, the U’s certainly had opportunities to level the game.

Just shy of the hour mark, Bradley Ihionvien had come on for Taylor and almost instantly got onto the scoresheet, but his effort was well-saved by Steer.

Tom Hopper was another player who looked to make a mark as one of a flurry of U’s players to be brought on, with around half an hour to play but his effort, on 75 minutes, just found the wrong side of the post.

Macey was again called into action, in the second half and made a strong stop with his legs, denying Randall.

Meanwhile, in the closing minutes Matt Jay went close to levelling, but the hosts hung on.

With a fortnight until Danny Cowley’s side get their latest League Two campaign underway, they will now turn their attention to Millwall, who they play behind closed doors on Monday.

They are then set to host Cambridge United this upcoming Saturday.