COLCHESTER United were beaten 2-1 at home by Salford City, on Saturday afternoon.

Kylian Kouassi's 76th-minute strike proved to be Salford's winner 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 21st in the League Two table.

Here are the U's player ratings, following a second successive home defeat.

MATT MACEY 5

U’s goalkeeper was beaten twice at his near post by close-range shots in tough defeat

ROB HUNT 5

U’s right-back had his work cut out dealing with N’Mai and was injured prior to the goal

BEN GOODLIFFE 5

Colchester defender was strong in the air but might feel he could have done better prior to second goal

AARON DONNELLY 5

Defended pretty well but was beaten in the air by Kouassi prior to N’Mai’s first goal

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

ELLIS IANDOLO 6

Went close in the first half when he fired into the side netting and was a competent performer at left-back

JAMIE MCDONNELL 5

Covered a lot of ground and showed tenacity on a difficult day for Colchester

JACK PAYNE 6

Was denied by Jones in the second half and tried to drive Colchester from a deeper position than usual

OSCAR THORN 6

Came close to scoring just after half-time in his first league home start for U’s

JK GORDON 5

Had his moments in the first half before being replaced by Read early in the second half

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

TOM HOPPER 5

Was his usual hard-working self playing just behind Taylor before being replaced by Scully

LYLE TAYLOR 6

U’s man of the match. U’s captain provided a clever assist for Anderson’s equaliser

SUBSTITUTES

HARRY ANDERSON (for Thorn, 56) 6

Scored Colchester’s equaliser at the second attempt after coming off the bench

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

ARTHUR READ (for Gordon, 56) 5

Tried his luck with a couple of long-range efforts after coming on just before the hour

MANDELA EGBO (for Hunt, 66) 6

Played his part in Colchester’s equaliser with accurate cross only for Salford to grab a winner

ANTHONY SCULLY (for Hopper, 67) 5

Took up a left-sided position for Colchester in the final 25 minutes of the game

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