Colchester United fell to a disappointing 4-1 home defeat against Cheltenham Town on Saturday afternoon.
Kurtis Guthrie put the U's ahead but after Kyel Reid was sent off just before half-time, goals from substitute Sanmi Odelusi, Nigel Atangana, Jerell Sellars and Mohamed Eisa gave the Robins all three points at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and ended the U's six-match league unbeaten run.
The result sees Colchester remain two points off the League Two play-off places in ninth place and John McGreal’s men travel to play old foes Wycombe Wanderers, next weekend.
Here, Colchester United reporter Jonathan Waldron rates the players following the disappointing 4-1 defeat:
SAM WALKER 7
U’s keeper made some good saves and did not deserve to be on the wrong end of a 4-1 defeat.
RYAN JACKSON 6
Had a really effective first half with his driving runs and low crosses but had little joy after that.
TOM EASTMAN 5
Had a challenging second half; might have done better with Atangana’s goal. Booked.
FRANKIE KENT 5
Denied by Flinders early on but was caught out by Eisa’s sharp turn for Cheltenham’s fourth.
KANE VINCENT-YOUNG 6
Had a solid first half at left-back before being forced off with an injury at half-time.
DREY WRIGHT 5
Had a shot saved by Flinders late on and had little joy in front of goal again.
TOM LAPSLIE 5
U’s skipper could do little to halt Cheltenham’s second-half surge. Booked.
BRANDON COMLEY 5
Took a nasty whack to the face in the first half before going off just before the hour.
KYEL REID 4
Will be very disappointed with his red card that hugely impacted the contest.
KURTIS GUTHRIE 7
U’s man of the match. Scored a superb goal on his first league start since February 2017.
MIKAEL MANDRON 5
Had little joy up front for Colchester before being substituted with 16 minutes to go.
SUBSTITUTES
COLE KPEKAWA (for Vincent-Young, 46) 5
DOUG LOFT (for Comley, 58) 6
BRANDON HANLAN (for Mandron, 74) 5
SUBSTITUTES (NOT USED): Murray, Szmodics, Ogedi-Uzokwe, Gilmartin.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here