COLCHESTER United booked their place in the Carabao Cup second round with a penalty shoot-out win over Reading.

Matt Macey was the hero as the U's keeper saved twice from the spot, as Danny Cowley's side progressed on penalties.

Colchester had led through Tom Hopper's third-minute header and Jack Payne's second-half penalty.

Two goals in eight minutes from Charlie Savage and Lewis Wing got the Royals level, before the U's prevailed on spot-kicks.

Here are the Gazette player ratings, following a dramatic night for the U's and their fans.

MATT MACEY 8

Was Colchester’s penalty hero after saving two penalties in the shoot-out

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

ROB HUNT 7

Put in a solid performance on the right side of the defence on his U’s home debut

FIACRE KELLEHER 8

Marshalled Colchester’s defence very well and was a towering presence

MANDELA EGBO 7

Showed huge amount of energy and fitness in covering so much ground in right sided role

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

ELLIS IANDOLO 7

Skippered the side and produced some good defensive play before going off on the hour

ALEX WOODYARD 8

U’s man of the match. Showed all of his combative qualities and broke up play superbly

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

JACK PAYNE 8

Provided the assist for Hopper’s goal and was at the heart of much of Colchester’s attacking play

TEDDY BISHOP 7

Showed some nice touches on his first Colchester start before being withdrawn on the hour

OWURA EDWARDS 8

Was a constant threat to the Reading defence and won their second-half penalty converted by Payne

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

TOM HOPPER 8

Scored a good headed goal and was his usual hard-working self before going off on the hour

SAMSON TOVIDE 7

Proved a thorn in the side of the Reading defence leading to Abraham Kanu being substituted

SUBSTITUTES

BRADLEY IHIONVIEN (for Tovide, 46) 7

Gave the Reading defence something different to think about and safely tucked away his penalty. Booked

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

ARTHUR READ (for Bishop, 46) 7

Had his usual influence in midfield and netted in shoot-out but picked up a knock to his back in the closing stages

FRANKIE TERRY (for Iandolo, 62) 7

Slotted in effortlessly in central defence for Colchester in only his fourth first-team appearance

JK GORDON (for Hopper, 62) 7

Got some joy down the right flank in the final half hour and slotted away his penalty in shoot-out

MILTON ONI (for Payne, 78)

Substitutes (not used): Greenidge, Thorn, Bendle, Smith.