COLCHESTER United tumbled to a frustrating 2-1 home defeat to Cheltenham Town this afternoon.

A first-half brace from Jordan Thomas clinched the Robins their first league away win of the season, as the U's suffered a second League Two home defeat of the season and dropped to 20th position in the table.

It was in general a disappointing performance by Colchester, who conceded two poor goals and did not look the same once Samson Tovide had departed injured, in the first half.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made two changes to his starting line-up from the goal-less draw against Carlisle United.

Fiacre Kelleher and JK Gordon were recalled to the team, with Mandela Egbo and Tom Hopper dropping to the bench.

Colchester have a big penalty appeal rejected after just 15 seconds when Cheltenham defender Scot Bennett appeared to drag Tovide down in the area but referee Benjamin Speedie waved away the hosts’ claims.

It was a positive start for the U’s but they fell behind against the run of play in the fifth minute when Jordan Thomas slid the ball home from two yards, after the impressive Ethon Archer had curled a fine cross into the six-yard box.

Colchester had another penalty appeal rejected when Tovide fell under Sam Stubbs' challenge in the area while at the other end, Thomas wriggled his way past two challenges before trying his luck from 25 yards with a low shot that goalkeeper Matt Macey safely gathered.

The U’s got back on level terms in the 27th minute when Lyle Taylor showed huge composure to finish superbly past goalkeeper Joe Day in the area, after being sent through on goal by Tovide.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Buoyed by the goal, Taylor's curled effort from a wide position flashed just wide of the far post minutes later but just when the U’s were gathering some momentum, Tovide was forced off injured and replaced by Tom Hopper.

And Colchester suffered another blow in the second minute of first-half time added on when the hosts gave away possession in midfield and Thomas was allowed to dance his way towards the area before trying his luck with a shot that took a big deflection before sailing past Macey.

It left U’s trailing at the break and boss Cowley made a change at half-time, sending on left-sided defender Aaron Donnelly for Kelleher.

Colchester went close in the opening minutes of the second half when Payne's first-time effort sailed just over, after Hopper had done brilliantly to get to the byline and cut the ball back to him.

But Macey needed to make an excellent fine point-blank save to deny George Miller who had wrestled his way past Donnelly in the area, following Sam Stubbs' long free-kick.

Tom Flanagan's under-hit first-time effort flew wide for Colchester midway through the second half, while Taylor's fine first-time effort from a tight angle was well saved by Day, after Hopper's pass had released him in his space.

The U's huffed and puffed as the clock ticked down but in truth, there was little end product and Cheltenham's defence stood firm.

Day made a fine save in the 87th minute to deny Taylor's close-range effort after Donnelly's pass had beaten the Cheltenham defence but the U's were beaten.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Hunt (sub Egbo, 68), Flanagan, Kelleher (sub Donnelly, 46), Iandolo, Woodyard (sub McDonnell, 68), Read (sub Anderson, 60), Payne, Gordon, Tovide (sub Hopper, 36), Taylor.

Substitutes (not used): Goodliffe, Smith.

Cheltenham Town: Day, Bradbury, Bennett (sub Laing, 45), Sohna, Archer, Stubbs, Payne (sub Bakare, 72), Kinsella (sub Pett, 88), Young, Miller (sub Dulson, 72), Thomas (sub Colwill, 72).

Substitutes (not used): Diallo, Bowman.

Goals: Colchester United: Taylor (27). Cheltenham Town: Thomas (5, 45).

Referee: Benjamin Speedie.

Bookings: Cheltenham Town: Day (unsporting behaviour, 90).

Attendance: 4,031 (156 Cheltenham fans).