Colchester United have given a former Norwich City youngster a chance to shine.

Devonte Aransibia scored on his first appearance for the U's under-23 side last night but it was not enough to prevent them suffering a 4-1 home defeat against second-placed Crystal Palace, in their latest Professional Development League Two game.

Aransibia, who scored five minutes after coming on as a substitute, is hoping to impress at Colchester, having been released by the Canaries earlier this month.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, who had a spell on loan at Bostik League Premier side Billericay Town at the end of last year, joined the Championship promotion chasers as an under-14.

He progressed through the ranks at Carrow Road and captained the under-23s on several occasions, making ten appearances for them this season.

Colchester under-23s have also handed Reading youngster Ade Shokunbi a chance to impress.

The 20-year-old central midfielder, who came on as a substitute for the U's in their game against Palace, also had a spell on loan at Billericay earlier this season and featured as a half-time substitute against Palace.

Colchester started well against Palace, with Chris Forino heading a Noah Chilvers corner over the bar and keeper Joe Tupper tipping away Chilvers' great strike.

At the other end, U's keeper Dillon Barnes smothered Kian Flanagan's shot, Ryan Clampin made a fine block and Brandon Pierrick saw an effort diverted away off Chilvers for a corner.

Palace took the lead after 19 minutes through Giovanni McGregor's low shot, after they had broken down the left and the ball had been cut back to him.

Barnes denied Levi Lumeka as the visitors looked for more goals and Flanagan's shot thumped a post, as Colchester trailed at the break.

Shokunbi and Aransibia were sent on at the break and the U’s started the second half well.

And after Ken Charles had been denied by Tupper, they equalised five minutes after half-time through Aransibia, who headed in at the back post after Chilvers and Clampin had worked a short corner.

Tupper saved from Chilvers following his tremendous run forward and burst into the box but Palace regained their lead after 64 minutes.

After a crunching challenge on Flanagan just outside the box, the ball ran into the area and Rob Street went wide of Barnes and tucked the chance away from a tight angle.

Palace started to dominate after that, with McGregor pulling his shot well wide before the visitors made it 3-1 with 16 minutes remaining through McGregor, who superbly curled a free-kick over the wall and in.

The visitors wrapped up victory with nine minutes remaining when Sam Woods turned in a corner and Barnes foiled Brandon Pierrick and substitute Sean Robertson after that, as the U's were beaten.

Colchester United under-23: Barnes, Agboola, Forino (sub Aransabia, 46), Kensdale, Clampin, Ager (sub Shokunbi, 46), Chilvers, Kiangebeni, Charles (sub Hasanally, 46), Hyde, Jones. Substitutes (not used): Coulter, Anderson.