COLCHESTER United under-21s surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Queens Park Rangers at the JobServe Community Stadium, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U's dominated most of the first 45 minutes of the Professional Development League clash, with James Sasere's cross-shot sailing wide of the far post.

In the first away riposte, Rico Kennedy got away down the left but there was an excellent tackle back by Samuel Kuffour, while Harry Murphy got in a shot which Harrison Chamberlain was down to smother.

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Colchester went ahead on 14 minutes through Hakeem Sandah, who drove into the net after Rangers keeper Conor Clark had saved Kaleel Green's effort, following excellent play by Max Jolliffe.

And things got even better for the U's on 32 minutes when Max Jolliffe moved in from the left to score, following Joel Thompson's ball forward.

After a smart turn by Green he lost Jack McDowell but Archie Oliver was unable to capitalise while at the other end, Chamberlain made a good save down to his right.

Colchester felt they should have had a penalty when Oliver went down in the box and right on half-time, the U's should have scored again as an R's player was caught in possession and although Clark saved Sasere's shot, Max Jolliffe's follow-up effort clipped the bar and went over.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Colchester went in at the break 2-0 up but Rangers made a triple half-time change and turned the game around, in the second half.

Chamberlain superbly turned Kennedy's effort over the bar but Rangers pulled a goal back on 56 minutes when substitute Jake Leahy found the far corner, from Kennedy's pass.

Sandah broke towards goal after intercepting Clark's kick out but his effort was blocked, as was a team-mate's follow-up effort.

Green rifled a shot just wide but after another good block in the box by Thompson, the visitors scored twice to win the game.

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Kieran Petrie made it 2-2 on 88 minutes and then QPR bagged their winner, five minutes later.

With Thompson lying injured on halfway, a ball in from the right brushed a U's player as he turned in the box and the referee gave a penalty.

 

After the delay for treatment, Harry Murphy beat Chamberlain down to his left in the third minute of stoppage time, to win it for Rangers.

Colchester United U21: Harrison Chamberlain, Samuel Kuffour, Frankie Edwards, Joel Thompson, Trialist (sub Ollie Godziemski), Hakeem Sandah, Max Jolliffe, Archie Oliver (sub Lennox Emery), James Sasere (sub Fela Abidkun), Kaleel Green. Subs (not used): Jack Beresford, Alex Kokoshi.