WAYNE Brown’s first game as interim first-team coach ended in a comprehensive defeat after Colchester United were beaten 3-0 at high-flying Forest Green Rovers.

The hosts proved too strong for the U’s, who have now gone 14 games without a League Two following their defeat at the New Lawn.

Colchester remain seven points above the relegation zone but it was another disappointing defeat against a side who played for half of the game with only ten men, following Ebou Adams’ straight red card in first-half stoppage-time.

And had he had any doubts about the task he has on his hands in the coming weeks, Brown will be absolutely clear about the challenge he has taken on following another disappointing performance and result.

Brown made two changes to his first starting line-up as U’s caretaker boss, after taking charge following the dismissal of Steve Ball on Tuesday night.

Seventeen-year-old Junior Tchamadeu made only his third senior start after starting on the right of midfield while Kwame Poku was also recalled at the expense of Ben Stevenson and Michael Folivi, neither of who were on the bench.

Harry Pell, Tom Lapslie and Ryan Clampin all missed out due to injury.

Forest Green were looking for a reaction having been surprisingly beaten at home by struggling Southend United in midweek and they set about their task with gusto and tempo from the off.

Nicky Cadden’s attempted cross was palmed away from under his own crossbar by U’s keeper Dean Gerken in the opening minute, while soon after Ebou Adams dragged a low shot wide of the far post from the edge of the penalty area.

Skipper Jamille Matt’s looping header was tipped over the bar for a corner by Gerken and Odin Bailey blasted wastefully wide from close range after being picked out by Matt in the area, as Forest Green threatened to go ahead.

Udoka Godwin-Malife fired into the side netting for the hosts midway through the first half after Gerken had been forced to punch away Cadden’s inswinging free-kick.

Forest Green eventually made the breakthrough in the 25th minute through Matt, who stooped to convert from close range following Aaron Collins’ right-wing cross.

Callum Harriott’s 25-yard free-kick curled wide of the near post soon after but the hosts were in the ascendency and they doubled their lead on the half hour through Matt, who turned to fire a loose ball home from inside the area for his second of the game after Brendan Wiredu had done brilliantly to hook an initial effort off the line, after Gerken had punched away a corner.

Forest Green had the bit between the teeth and went in search of a third goal before half-time, following a dominant first-half display.

But Colchester were handed a lifeline in first-half stoppage-time when Adams was sent off for serious foul play for a bad challenge on U’s left-back Doherty near the centre circle, an incident that sparked a melee involving most of the players on both sides.

It meant Forest Green had to play the whole of the second half with only ten men prompting their boss Mark Cooper to make a double change at the break.

Colchester also made a substitution, with goalkeeper Shamal George replacing Dean Gerken between the sticks.

The U’s enjoyed a little more of the possession in the second half but they fell further behind midway through the second half when Collins’ inswinging free-kick hit Frank Nouble in the area and sailed past George and into the net.

Colchester did enjoy some possession after that and Doherty’s deflected shot sailed into keeper Lewis Thomas’s arms but the outcome had long been decided by then, as the U's long winless run was extended.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Gerken (sub George, 46), Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith, Doherty (sub Sayer, 81), Wiredu, Chilvers, Tchamadeu (sub Senior, 59), Poku (sub Brown, 74), Harriott, Nouble (sub Oteh, 74).

Subs (not used): Sowunmi, Marshall Miranda.

U’s man of the match: Noah Chilvers.

Forest Green Rovers: Thomas, Wilson, Bernard, Cargill, Adams, Bailey (sub Richardson, 46), Wagstaff, Godwin-Malife, Collins (sub Hutchinson, 90), Cadden (sub Whitehouse, 46), Matt (sub Davison, 79).

Subs (not used): Young, Hallett, McGee.

Referee: Carl Brook (Scotland).

Goals: Forest Green: Matt (25, 31), Nouble (own goal, 67).

Bookings: Colchester: Oteh (foul, 90).

Sending-off: Forest Green: Adams (45).