Colchester United's under-23s fell to defeat by a one-goal margin for the second successive match after losing 1-0 to their Bolton Wanderers counterparts tonight.

Connor Hall's early goal proved the difference between the two sides in the Professional Development League Two, played at the Lancashire FA.

It was Colchester under-23s' second defeat in the space of little more than 48 hours, following their 2-1 loss at Sheffield United on Saturday.

Wayne Brown's side almost fell behind soon after kick-off when U’s keeper Dillon Barnes denied Jeff King with his leg, before Liam Morris fired over from just outside the area following a goalmouth scramble.

But Bolton were not to be denied for long and took the lead after 13 minutes through striker Connor Hall, who closed down Barnes’ attempted kick from a back-pass and saw the ball sail into the net.

Bolton went in search of more goals after that, with Navarro and Hall both going close in quick succession and a free-kick from midfielder Politic sailing narrowly wide.

But only Cole Lonsdale’s last-ditch challenge at the far post denied Colchester what looked like a certain equaliser, as the U’s went in trailing at the break.

Will Wright blasted wide of the target for Colchester in the opening minutes of the second half but keeper Barnes was called upon again soon after at the other end, making a superb double save to keep out Hall and Politic from close range.

Callum Jones’ long-range effort sailed wide for Bolton just before the hour and Barnes did well to save Navarro’s effort after he had been put through by Politic, as the Trotters looked for a second.

Politic’s diving header then went inches wide for the hosts and the chances kept coming for Bolton.

With 14 minutes remaining, Brockbank inadvertently slotted wide when it had seemed easier to score after Hall had helped on King’s free kick.

King had a shot cleared off the line as the clock ticked down, as the U's youngsters slipped to a narrow defeat.

Colchester under-23s are due to return to action on Friday afternoon when they take on Bristol City, kick-off 1pm.

Colchester United U23 (squad): Barnes, Kensdale, Rooney, Wilson, W. Wright, Warde, Anderson, Issa, Sims, Gondoh, Allarakhia, Jones, Chilvers, Brown, Sheriff, Kurasik.