JAMES Searse scored twice as Colchester United under-18s lost 3-2 at home to Ipswich Town in the Professional Development League, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Nelson Eze missed with an attempt at an acrobatic effort for Town while at the other end, Sasere outpaced his marker but shot just wide of the far post and Burak Sabah from the right curled his shot just wide.

However despite the U's making a good start, it was the visitors who scored first on 16 minutes.

Luke Towler crossed from the right, Charlie Compton shot goalwards with Nelson Eze diverting it into the home net.

But Colchester equalised on 23 minutes through Sasere, who netted from close range after excellent work by Owen Moore on the right.

U's goalkeeper Jack Sexton saved from Jamie Mauge and Town's George Chenery headed just over.

Ipswich regained their lead right at the end of the first half as from a deep Boswell cross from the right, Mauge headed back across for Callum Frith to convert.

And Town made it 3-1 when Leon Elliott scored with a rising shot high into the net, after being picked out by Chenery.

Town goalkeeper Alan Fleischer saved Martin's free-kick and Eze headed over the bar, while James Sasere sent a shot wide on the turn.

Heard cleared an effort off the line from Owen Moore who then saw his cross-field shot go just wide of the far post.

Colchester went close again as Duggens back post header hit a post.

And the U's pulled a goal back on 80 minutes when after substitute Ryan Mombo's good work, Sasere made it 3-2.

Mauge lobbed over the bar and Fleischer made a good save to deny Moore, as the U's pressed for an equaliser.

But Ipswich held out, with the U's David Nkrumah sent off for something said to the referee.

Colchester United U18: Jack Sexton, Alamin Kosoko (sub Drey), Ope Agoro, Harvey Duggens (sub Leo Makatta), David Nkrumah, Elkanah Akor, Ronnie Harvey (sub Ryan Mombo), Burak Sabah, Lennox Emery (sub Kai Martin), Owen Moore, James Sasere.