Colchester United under-21s are beaten at Brentford

Liam Bailey's side made the trip to West London for the match at Wheatsheaf Park, the first Professional Development League meeting between the sides since Macauley Bonne scored twice for the U's in their 2-1 win in January, 2016.

Colchester made a great start when they scored after just three minutes through Amine Sassi, after some good pressing created the opening.

However, Brentford, who are seven games unbeaten and joint top, levelled two minutes later when good work by Iwan Roberts set up a tap-in for Ben Kraughaus.

Ethan Laidlaw went close to giving Brentford the lead as he connected with a Brierley cross but it just went wide of the post.

Brentford were in firm control of the contest, penning their opponents back.

But Colchester restored their lead on 26 minutes through Alex Kokoshi, who finished well from close range after Holland had been dispossessed in a dangerous area.

However, once again the U's did not hold the advantage for long as three minutes later, Brierley tapped in Morgan cross for 2-2.

Brierley went close to giving Brentford the lead with an intelligent free-kick that almost caught out Harrison Chamberlain but the U's keeper just got there in time to make the save and then deny Morgan on the follow-up, with a brilliant reflex stop.

Brentford controlled much of the second period but chances were few and far between.

Laidlaw had the ball in the back of the net with just over ten minutes to go but was adjudged to have been offside.

After dealing with a lot of pressure from a talented home side, Colchester finally succumbed to a late goal by Laidlaw, who tapped home Max Dickov's ball across with seven minutes remaining to win it for Brentford.

Colchester United U21: Chamberlain, Akor, Oliver (sub Harvey, 86), Edwards (c), Abidkun, Sassi, Joliffe, Folarin (sub Banjoko, 71), Sandah, Kokoshi (sub Green, 86), Newby. Subs (not used): Drysdale, Sexton.