Colchester United were left frustrated this afternoon after they were beaten 1-0 by Carlisle United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

A solitary strike from substitute Jamie Devitt gave the visitors victory, despite the U's enjoying the bulk of the chances at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester found Carlisle keeper Jack Bonham in good form and were unable to find a way through, as the Cumbrians chalked up a fourth league away win of the League Two campaign.

U's head coach John McGreal made two changes to his starting line-up for the game against Carlisle.

Cole Kpekawa and Tom Eastman were recalled to the U’s starting line-up in place of Ryan Inniss and Kane Vincent-Young, as part of a 3-4-1-2 formation.

Inniss missed out because of a hamstring injury as did Vincent-Young, who was forced off in Colchester’s 2-0 win over Mansfield Town, last weekend.

Tom Lapslie was on the bench after recovering from a groin injury while Craig Slater was also among the substitutes.

Colchester made a bright start and came close to taking an eight-minute lead when Kyel Reid picked up possession in the area before cutting inside and firing in a low shot that goalkeeper Bonham saved at his near post.

And Bonham was in action again five minutes later, saving Hanlan’s low shot with his legs at his near post after Kpekawa’s long ball from defence had caught out the visitors’ defence.

Colchester switched things around midway through the first half, moving Drey Wright moving to a more central role and shifting Kyel Reid to the left.

But a cagey first half ensued after that and there was little to choose between the two sides, before half-time.

Colchester almost made a breakthrough in the opening two minutes of the second half when Bonham made a superb double save to deny Sean Murray and then Hanlan from close range, after Ryan Jackson had done brilliantly to advance and deliver a cross.

But they fell behind just before the hour mark to Carlisle's first meaningful goal attempt.

After James Brown's pass had released him, substitute Devitt escaped the U's defence and planted a fine shot past Sam Walker for 1-0.

Tom Eastman saw his 25-yard effort fly over, before McGreal sent on Craig Slater from Hanlan midway through the second half in a bid to force an equaliser.

Bonham made a superb save to foil Wright's half volley with ten minutes to go as Colchester pushed for an equaliser and Nicke Kabamba and Sanmi Odelusi were both sent on, in a bid to get the goal.

But it was not forthcoming and Colchester fell to their first defeat in four league games.