COLCHESTER United's winless run in League Two was extended to six matches after they lost 2-1 at home to Salford City this afternoon.

Kylian Kouassi's 76th-minute strike secured the visitors all three points at the JobServe Community Stadium, after U's substitute Harry Anderson had cancelled out Kelly N'Mai's opener for the Ammies.

The result leaves Colchester in 21st position in the table.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley, who was in the stands due to a touchline ban, made one change to his starting line-up, which lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Lyle Taylor came into the side in place of Alex Woodyard, who was on the bench.

It was a fairly forgettable opening half hour, with little in the way of goalscoring opportunities for either side.

The muted start was matched off the field too with a quiet atmosphere, as both sides battled for supremacy.

Salford carved out the first meaningful effort, with Ben Woodburn dragging a shot wide from a decent position after Haji Mnoga's fine run had set up the chance.

And the visitors went close again on the half hour through Tyrese Fornah's low effort from 25 yards, which was pushed away for a corner at his near post by Colchester goalkeeper, Matt Macey.

Colchester carved out their first meaningful opportunity, six minutes before the break.

Ellis Iandolo played a one-two with Taylor in the area but could only shoot into the side netting at the near post and the chance went begging.

Woodburn forces Macey to kick the ball away from near his own goal-line in first-half stoppage-time, as the U’s went in at the break on level terms.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Colchester looked to take the initiative in the second half, with Jack Payne's shot saved by former U's loanee Jamie Jones, after Tom Hopper had done well to set up the chance.

The U's freshened things up just before the hour, sending on Harry Anderson and Arthur Read for JK Gordon and Oscar Thorn in a bid to make the breakthrough.

But Colchester fell behind soon after when N'Mai finished superbly first time from Kouassi's header, after Luke Garbutt's long free-kick into the Colchester box. 

It took the U's just nine minutes to level though.

Mandela Egbo did well to cross from the byline and after Taylor's skilful backheel in the area, substitute Anderson lashed home after initially being denied by Jones.

But Salford were back in front, in the 76th minute.

Kouassi fired home a low deflected effort inside the near post, after Fornah had done well to pick him out in the area. 

And despite five minutes of stoppage-time, the U's could not muster an equaliser as they fell to a second successive home defeat.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Hunt (sub Egbo, 66), Goodliffe, Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell, Hopper (sub Scully, 67), Payne, Gordon (sub Read, 56), Thorn (sub Anderson, 56), Taylor.

Substitutes (not used): Flanagan, Woodyard, Smith.

Salford City: Jones, Fornah,  Woodburn (sub Negru, 79), Ashley (sub Lund, 67), Tilt, Mnoga, Kouassi (sub Luamba, 89), Garbutt, N'Mai (sub Okoronkwo, 89), Shephard (sub Taylor, 67), Austerfield.

Substitutes (not used): Stockton, Young.

Goals: Colchester: Anderson (70). Salford: N'Mai (61), Kouassi (76).

Referee: Alex Chilowicz.

Bookings: None.

Sending off: None.

Attendance: 3,937 (86 Salford fans).