Colchester United's under-23s surrendered their unbeaten record this afternoon after losing 4-1 at Cardiff City.

Owen Garvan, Dion Sembie-Ferris and Femi Akinwande all featured for the U's, at the Vale Resort.

Wayne Brown's side went in their match against the Bluebirds having won two and drawn one of their opening three Professional Development League Two matches.

But their opponents Cardiff have also made a fantastic start to the campaign, having claimed victory in each of their opening three matches.

It was a goal-less first half but the U's fell behind eight minutes into the second half when Eli Phipps powered home a header from Dylan Rees's cross.

And Cardiff doubled their lead three minutes later when Jamie Bird beat two U's players before curling home a fine shot from 25 yards.

Colchester reduced the deficit just after the hour when Femi Akinwande converted from close range.

But Cardiff restored their two-goal advantage through Phipps, who slotted home his second of the game from the spot after Macauley Southam had been fouled in the area.

And Cardiff wrapped up their victory with eight minutes remaining through Bird's second of the game, after Lloyd Humphries' effort had been saved.

Colchester United: Barnes, Ocran, Wyatt, Garvan, Peter, James, Brown, Akinwande, Regis, Sembie-Ferris, Wright.

Substitutes: Partridge, Sheriff, Edge, Harrison, Williams.