COLCHESTER United bowed out of the FA Cup at the first-round stage for the third successive season this afternoon after losing 2-1 at Swindon Town, after extra-time.

Kabongo Tshimanga struck the hosts' winner in the first minute of the second period of extra-time, as Ian Holloway's side recovered to win and book their place in the second-round draw.

Harry Anderson had given Colchester a 64th-minute lead but substitute Joel McGregor levelled for Swindon in the 83rd minute, to take the tie into extra-time and the visitors conceded again, to bow out.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made three changes to his starting line-up for the Swindon clash.

Skipper Tom Flanagan, Harry Anderson and Arthur Read all returned, with Ben Goodliffe, Tom Hopper and Oscar Thorn all dropping out.

Colchester, looking for their first FA Cup win since 2021, started well and were almost ahead in the eighth minute.

John-Kymani Gordon blasted over first-time from eight yards, after Lyle Taylor had dispossessed Miguel Freckleton in a dangerous area and picked him out with a cross.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

The game became a rather scrappy affair after that but Swindon began to threaten and Ellis Iandolo, one of four former Swindon players returning to their old club, had to hook a loose ball away from near his own goal-line after George Cox's effort deflected off Flanagan and sailed towards goal.

Swindon went close again eight minutes before the break when Kabongo Tshimanga lifted the ball over the top of the goal and onto the roof of the net, after Flanagan had failed to deal with Cox’s ball into the area.

But four minutes before the break, Colchester came a whisker away from taking the lead when Arthur Read's first-time 25-yard strike flashed just past the post.

The first half finished goal-less but Swindon felt they should have gone in at the break ahead after having the ball in the net, in first-half stoppage time.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Robins skipper Ollie Clarke nodded in Aaron Drinan’s cross from close range but the effort was disallowed and the teams went in at the break on level terms.

Swindon almost broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when Tshimanga's first-time effort straight at Matt Macey from nine yards, after Clarke had delivered a pinpoint ball into the U's box.

The hosts continued to carve out the better chances and substitute Nnamdi Ofoborh wastefully headed well wide from Cox's cross from an unmarked position.

But Colchester broke the deadlock in the 64th minute when Anderson raced onto Read's fine pass and composed himself before drilling a fine right-foot shot low past goalkeeper Jack Bycroft. 

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

It looked like the U's might be heading for victory but Swindon levelled in the 83rd minute through substitute Joel McGregor, who drilled a low precise shot inside the far post after the U's had failed to clear, following Matt Macey's save from Tshimanga.

Macey made a crucial save to deny substitute Sean McGurk deep into stoppage time but the tie went to extra-time.

Colchester came close to restoring their lead six minutes into the first period when Payne's fierce effort clattered the upright but seconds later, Smith's low strike was well saved by Macey, as both sides pushed for a crucial winner.

And Swindon stuck in the first minute of the second period of extra-time when Tshimanga held off Ellis Iandolo before planting the ball into the net, after a long throw had been helped on in the box.

Colchester were unable to muster an equaliser, as their FA Cup interest was ended for another year.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Hunt (sub Sandah, 114), Flanagan, Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell (sub Woodyard, 65), Read, Anderson (sub Egbo, 78), Payne, Gordon (sub Scully, 78), Taylor (sub Hopper, 69).

Substitutes (not used): Kelleher, Goodliffe, Jay, Smith.

Swindon Town: Bycroft, Sobowale (sub McGregor, 82), Wright, Clarke (sub Cotterill, 72), Minturn, Freckleton (sub Ofoborh, 46), Cox, Kilkenny (sub Butterworth, 72), Tshimanga, Drinan (sub McGurk, 72), Smith.

Substitutes (not used): Barden, Delaney, Olatzel, Longelo.

Referee: Scott Jackson.

Goals: Colchester: Anderson (64). Swindon: McGregor (83), Tshimanga (106).

Bookings: Colchester: Flanagan (foul, 10), McDonnell (foul, 23), Gordon (foul, 62), Hunt (unsporting behaviour, 71), Iandolo (unsporting behaviour, 84), Donnelly (unsporting behaviour, 89). Swindon: Wright (unsporting behaviour, 23), Smith (unsporting behaviour, 84), McGregor (foul, 101).

Sending off: None.

Attendance: 4,855 (332 U's fans).