Colchester United were knocked out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the first-round stage tonight after losing 3-2 at League Two side Northampton Town.

The U’s have gone nearly seven years without a victory in the tournament and that sequence will now be extended, after their winless start to the season extended to seven matches at Sixfields.

Colchester did look effective as an attacking force and were perhaps unlucky not to score more than the two goals scored for them by Macauley Bonne.

But once again some sloppy defending let the U's down, as they fell to defeat.

Colchester made five changes to their side, with midfielder Owen Garvan featuring in their starting line-up for the first time and defender Frankie Kent handed his first competitive start for ten months.

Sammie Szmodics, Alex Wynter and Dion Sembie-Ferris also started with Joe Edwards, Gavin Massey and Tom Eastman all dropping to the bench and Alex Gilbey rested.

Northampton took the lead after seven minutes.

After Sam Hoskins had broken down the U’s right, he delivered a cross for the unchallenged Dominic Calvert-Lewin to convert from six yards.

But Colchester were back on level terms just after the half hour through Macauley Bonne, who headed in well at the far post from the lively Callum Harriott’s deep cross.

However, Colchester made a sluggish start after the restart.

And the second period was not even five minutes old when Northampton midfielder Ryan Watson collected the ball midway inside the U’s half and drove towards the area before planting a low shot past Parish for a fine individual goal.

Colchester pushed hard for another equaliser and it finally came with eight minutes remaining when Bonne finished well from Harriott’s through pass.

But with five minutes remaining and a penalty shoot-out looming, Northampton substitute Marc Richards converted from close range after the visitors failed to clear a ball into the area and that proved to be the winner, as Colchester were knocked out.

For a full match report and pictures from the U's game at Northampton, see Wednesday's Daily Gazette.