COLCHESTER United suffered heartbreak after losing their League Two play-off semi-final at Exeter City.

The U's were beaten 3-1 in their second leg at St James Park last night to lose 3-2 on aggregate, missing out on the chance of promotion for another season.

Colchester had led 1-0 from the first leg, thanks to Cohen Bramall's late strike.

However, Exeter wiped that advantage out after ten minutes thanks to Aaron Martin' strike.

And when Jayden Richardson’s low shot squirmed in after half-time, Exeter were ahead overall.

Courtney Senior came off the bench to score and make it 2-2 on aggregate, taking the game into extra-time.

But Ryan Bowman broke the U's hearts in the second period of extra-time, to secure Exeter's place in the play-off final and leave Colchester's players devastated.

Here are a selection of social media posts from Colchester's players, following their disappointing night in Devon.

HARRY PELL:

It’s hard to find something to write after a emotional rollercoaster like that today. I’m proud of our team this season.. I’m so sorry to the Colchester fans that we haven’t reached our target of promotion, I really am.

RYAN JACKSON:

Absolutely heartbroken! I’m so proud of the boys for getting this far not the way I thought it would end but just wasn’t our day. Thank you to all the fans for your support appreciate it so much & thank you to all the staff it’s been an amazing year

FRANK NOUBLE:

Lowest I’ve felt in a long time all the best to Exeter in final

Enjoyed every minute at club with boys , staff and fans bar today obviously coming just short

Too many unreal moments to forget tough pill to swallow this!

THEO ROBINSON:

All the best to @officialecfc in the final it hurts to say the least, a chance of playing at Wembley gone,

thanks to all staff members and players at @colu_official for the season we had, all the best in the future