Colchester United paid the price for Sammie Szmodics' early penalty miss as they slumped to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Yeovil Town this afternoon.

Szmodics had an early spot-kick saved by Glovers keeper Stuart Nelson and Alex Fisher scored the visitors' winner soon after, as the U's tumbled to a second successive home loss at a snowy Weston Homes Community Stadium.

It was another flat home performance by Colchester, whose dwindling League Two play-off hopes took another hit with the defeat in front of their lowest Saturday league crowd of the season.

Colchester head coach John McGreal made two changes to his starting line-up for their game against Yeovil.

Liam Mandeville was handed his first-ever start for the U’s after joining them on loan from League One side Doncaster Rovers, in January while club captain Luke Prosser also returned to the side.

Ryan Jackson missed out because of an ankle injury sustained in the 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town, while Brennan Dickenson was also sidelined.

Paul Rooney was included in Colchester’s 18 for the first time since joining the club from Millwall, in January.

McGreal wanted the U’s fans to get behind his team from the start and they had a great opportunity to get the home supporters cheering in the eighth minute when they were awarded a penalty, after former Colchester defender Ryan Dickson was adjudged to have fouled Kane Vincent-Young just inside in the area.

However, Sammie Szmodics’ penalty was well saved by Yeovil keeper Stuart Nelson down to his left.

Szmodics dragged a low shot wide of the target a few minutes later after Drey Wright had run at the Yeovil defence and set him up but at the other end, Rhys Browne blasted over from the edge of the area after Jordan Green had picked him out.

And Colchester fell behind in the 21st minute when Alex Fisher slotted in from close range after Ryan Dickson’s long throw into their box had been helped on by Omar Sowunmi and Francois Zoko had helped into his path.

Colchester tried to muster a response and Kurtis Guthrie headed straight at Nelson from close range, following Drey Wright’s pinpoint cross into the area.

But only a smart save from U’s keeper Sam Walker who pushed away Fisher’s low effort from the edge of the area prevented the home side from falling further behind, just before the break.

Colchester made a change at half-time, sending on Courtney Senior for Brandon Comley.

But Yeovil looked the more menacing in the early stages of the second half, with Fisher and substitute Bevis Nugabi both trying their luck from long range for the visitors.

Colchester came close to an equaliser on the hour through Mandeville, whose powerful long-range free-kick was brilliantly palmed over the bar for a corner by the diving Nelson.

Mikael Mandron was sent on for Guthrie soon after and Colchester came close to equalising again when Nelson pushed away Frankie Kent's header, at his near post.

Olamide Shodipo was sent on for Mandeville and the QPR loanee had a free-kick pushed away well by the impressive Nelson, as the clock ticked down.

Nelson pushed away Kent's long-range effort in the closing stages but the U's could not muster an equaliser and fell to a miserable defeat.