Colchester United were knocked out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the area semi-final stage tonight after losing 1-0 to Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

A close-range strike from Frenchman Claude Gnakpa just before the half-hour mark proved enough to give the Hatters a 1-0 win and knock the U's out.

Both Scott Vernon and Johnnie Jackson hit the woodwork for Colchester and Anthony Wordsworth and substitute Steven Gillespie went close in the dying minutes.

But Luton held on to end Colchester's interest in this season's Football League Trophy.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction from Colchester's 1-0 defeat at Luton, see tomorrow's Gazette.