COLCHESTER United relinquished an early two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at AFC Wimbledon in a pulsating League Two curtain-raiser this afternoon.

The U's and their fans were in dreamland after nine minutes at Plough Lane, after debutant Ben Goodliffe's brace of headers put them in control early on in their season opener.

But James Ball's 13th-minute effort got the Dons back into the contest and Jake Reeves equalised with a fine strike on the half hour, before the hosts went ahead through a controversial penalty just before half-time, which Matty Stevens converted.

Bugiel's header early in the second half increased the Dons' lead and Colchester were unable to find a way back into the game, after that.

Colchester handed a club debut to six of their summer signings, at Wimbledon.

Goodliffe, Matt Macey, Rob Hunt, Jack Payne, John Kymani-Gordon and newly-installed skipper, Tom Flanagan were all handed their first starts for the U’s, while Alistair Smith and Owen Goodman both started for the Dons against their former club.

Only three players in the Colchester line-up started their final game of last season against Crewe Alexandra – Arthur Read, Tom Hopper and Ellis Iandolo.

Colchester were looking to make a good start to the season – and they did just that as two of their summer signings combined to give them a lead after less than a minute in front of their jubilant fans.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

The U’s were ahead after just 54 seconds when Goodliffe was afforded the freedom of the hosts’ penalty area to stoop and head home Payne’s pinpoint cross into the box.

Colchester were on top and they sent their vocal fans behind the goal into dreamland when they doubled their lead, in the ninth minute.

Goodliffe rose magnificently to powerfully head home Payne's excellent free-kick into the box, for his second goal of the game.

It was the perfect start but out of nowhere, AFC Wimbledon got themselves back into the contest, in the 13th minute.

Omar Bugiel's shot was turned in by Ball and flew past Macey, after the U’s had failed to clear the danger.

It was a pulsating clash as both sides went toe to toe and the U’s two-goal advantage was relinquished on the half hour mark.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Dons skipper Jake Reeves swept home a fine first-time shot past Macey and into the net to equalise, after Smith's goalbound effort had been blocked.

It was a breathless affair and Colchester fell behind in the 38th minute when Gordon was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area and Matty Stevens slotted home the resultant penalty.

It was quite a turnaround for the hosts and meant that the U’s went in at the break behind.

And AFC Wimbledon further extended their lead in the 54th minute when Bugiel headed home the loose ball, after Smith's effort had crashed against the underside of the crossbar.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Goodliffe was left prostrate in the area after the goal and required lengthy treatment for a facial injury before being replaced by Fiacre Kelleher.

Macey made a fine save to deny Bugiel from point-blank range soon after before Danny Cowley made a double change, sending on Teddy Bishop for his debut and also Owura Edwards, in a bid to get back into the game.

But despite nine minutes of time added on, they could not find a route back into the contest and fell to an opening-day defeat, in South-West London.

MATCH STATS: Colchester United: Macey, Hunt (sub Egbo, 77), Goodliffe (sub Kelleher, 60), Flanagan, Iandolo, Read, Payne, Kymani-Gordon, Hopper, Tovide (sub Bishop, 68), Ihionvien (sub Edwards, 68).

Substitutes (not used): Woodyard, Bendle, Smith.

AFC Wimbledon: Goodman, Furlong, Reeves, Johnson, Neufville, Smith, Ball (sub Maycock, 88), Lewis, Ogundere, Stevens (sub Kelly, 76), Bugiel (sub Piggott, 76).

Substitutes (not used): Ward, Biler, Tilly, Hippolyte.

Referee: Daniel Middleton.

Goals: Colchester: Goodliffe (1,9). AFC Wimbledon: Ball (13), Reeves (30), Stevens (38), Bugiel (54).

Bookings: Colchester: Hunt (foul, 40). AFC Wimbledon: Lewis (foul, 35), Reeves (foul, 66), Ball (foul, 82), Goodman (unsporting behaviour, 90), Furlong (foul, 90).

Sending off: None.

Attendance: 7,924 (1,051 U’s fans).