COLCHESTER United suffered heartache after conceding late on and slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to Cambridge United on Saturday.

Things looked rosey when Luke Norris rifled home an early penalty in the League Two contest, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

However, Colchester's joy turned to despair in the second half as Marc Richards' headed equaliser was followed by a late winner from substitute Harry Darling.

Gazette reporter Matt Plummer was in the press box and rates the players, following another narrow defeat.

DEAN GERKEN 5

The keeper will have been bitterly disappointed with Cambridge’s winner, which somehow squirmed under his body and over the line. Earlier he made a smart save from Andy Dallas

RYAN JACKSON 6

The right-back tried to get forward and fired in the cross that ultimately led to Colchester’s penalty

TOM EASTMAN 5

The defender made some important clearances but was outjumped by Marc Richards for Cambridge’s first

LUKE PROSSER 6

The skipper defended solidly and went close to scoring – only to see his close-range header cannon back off the bar

RYAN CLAMPIN 7

The full-back made an impressive, encouraging debut. Unfazed by the occasion, he got forward and delivered some dangerous crosses into the box before picking up an injury and limping off

BRANDON COMLEY 6

The midfielder worked hard on his return to the side and will hope to keep his place for Tuesday’s match against former side Grimsby

BEN STEVENSON 6

Showed energy to get up and down the pitch, winning the penalty after being upended by Paul Lewis

COURTNEY SENIOR 7

The wide man looked lively early on, making several marauding runs into the box. He appeared to have valid penalty claims just before Colchester’s opener

LUKE NORRIS 7

The attacker buried his penalty with power and confidence and went close on another couple of occasions

JEVANI BROWN 6

Brown was desperate to shine against his former club but this wasn’t one of his better days. Despite a bright start, he soon faded

FRANK NOUBLE 5

Worked hard but lashed at a couple of opportunities, sending them high and wide, when more composure was needed

SUBSTITUTES

LUKE GAMBIN (for Senior, 73) 6

CAMERON JAMES (for Clampin, 83)

NOT USED: Sowunmi, Chilvers, Ross, Hasanally, Poku.