Colchester United fell to a lacklustre 1-0 home defeat against League Two's bottom club Barnet, on Saturday afternoon.

Alex Nicholls' well-taken 66th-minute strike gave the Bees all three points at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and condemned the U’s to a second straight league defeat.

Colchester are now seven points off the play-off places in League Two with 11 games remaining and John McGreal’s men make the long trip up to play Morecambe, next weekend.

Here, Colchester United reporter Jonathan Waldron rates the players in the disappointing 1-0 defeat at the Weston Homes Community Stadium:

SAM WALKER 6

U’s keeper had little to do apart from pick the ball out of the net after Barnet’s winner.

TOM EASTMAN 6

Had a decent first half before being replaced at half-time as the U’s changed formation.

RYAN INNISS 5

Loanee defender had a strong first half after being recalled to the U’s starting line-up.

FRANKIE KENT 5

Captain for the day dealt well with the threat of Akinde but could not prevent Nicholls’ winner.

RYAN JACKSON 5

A mixed display by the U’s right wing-back, whose long throws proved dangerous.

SEAN MURRAY 5

Was hard working as always on his return to the side but to little avail.

BRANDON COMLEY 5

Struggled to impose himself but was unlucky not to score just before the break.

KANE VINCENT-YOUNG 6

U’s man of the match. Dealt well with Coulthirst’s threat and had one or two forward runs.

COURTNEY SENIOR 5

Showed moments of flair and skill and was denied by keeper Legg just before half-time.

MIKAEL MANDRON 5

A frustrating afternoon for the U’s forward whose service was minimal. Booked.

JUNIOR OGEDI-UZOKWE 5

Struggled to make an impression against a well-organised Barnet defence.

SUBSTITUTES

BRENNAN DICKENSON (for Eastman, 46) 5

Tried his best to lift Colchester after coming on at half-time but had little joy.

LIAM MANDEVILLE (for Ogedi-Uzokwe, 55) 5

Cut an isolated figure at times up front and received little service.

DREY WRIGHT (for Vincent-Young, 86)

Had little time to make an impact after coming off the bench late on.

SUBSTITUTES (NOT USED): Prosser, Lapslie, Stevenson, Gilmartin.