COLCHESTER United's under-21s lost 3-1 at home to Barnsley in their Professional Development League Two opener, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Having led at the break, Liam Bailey's side ended up losing as the visitors fought back strongly after half-time.

An early Barnsley free-kick saw left-back Bayley McCann curl a free-kick just wide of the left hand upright.

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But Colchester took the lead on 13 minutes as a ball forward saw Kaleel Green running onto it before shooting past keeper Kieren Flavell.

The U's had another chance just before the half hour mark when Milton Oni squared the ball to his left to Hakeem Sandah who fired just over the bar.

Just before the break after some neat build-up play, Will Greenidge got forward and his pass was laid off into the path of trialist A left-back by Oni but the effort was curled wide of the far post.

After a foul by Greenidge he was booked and in first half stoppage time. a pass down the line by trialist A so nearly put Rash Douglas clear but there was a good interception to cut out the pass.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

There was a chance for Barnsley just before half-time when McCann's free-kick was partially cleared but Theo Chapman's half volley flew wide.

At the break, trialist A and Greenidge were replaced by trialist B and Alfie Newby.

Barnsley substitute Hayden Pickard's free-kick was sliced just over his own bar by Frankie Edwards, just after the break.

But the visitors were level on the hour mark when keeper Harrison Chamberlain's attempted clearance was blocked by the advancing Leo Farrell who rolled the ball forward into an empty net, despite two defenders trying to get back to clear.

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And Colchester fell behind four minutes later when Chapman fell under Oni's challenge in the box and Josiah Dyer netted from the spot.

Chapman broke in down the left slipped the ball between a defender's legs but Chamberlain saved at his near post, while at the other end, Sansah's superb run saw him get clear but then shoot straight at the keeper.

Dyer slid his shot just wide of the far post while from Pickford's corner, a powerful header by Nathan James was just over the bar.

Barnsley then wrapped up their win with two minutes of normal time remaining when Edwards tangled with Chapman in the box and he converted the resultant spot-kick, as the U's were beaten.

Colchester United U21: Harrison Chamberlain, Will Greenidge, Frankie Edwards, Frankie Terry, Trialist A, Oscar Thorn, Milton Oni, Hakeem Sandah, Kai Martin, Rash Douglas, Kaleel Green. Subs: Trialist B, Alfie Newby, Trialist C, James Sasere.