COLCHESTER United were brought back down to earth this afternoon after they were beaten 2-0 at home by Newport County.

The visitors were good value for their win, as the U’s failed to capitalise on their midweek win over Carlisle United and now find themselves just seven points above the relegation zone.

Goals from Joss Labadie and Padraig Armond sealed a deserved victory for the Exiles, with the U’s finishing the game with ten men after forward Frank Nouble was sent off against his former club after picking up two bookings in quick succession in the second half.

Colchester interim boss Wayne Brown made two changes to their starting line-up on the back of their midweek victory over Carlisle United.

Ryan Clampin returned at left-back after missing four games due to injury while Michael Folivi also earned a starting spot after impressing off the bench against Carlisle.

Miles Welch-Hayes and Omar Sowunmi dropped to the bench alongside Paris Cowan-Hall, who returned to the 18.

Newport almost took a tenth-minute lead when Nicky Maynard's low shot scooped away well by U’s goalkeeper Shamal George after Ryan Haynes had got down the left and crossed into the six-yard box.

The U’s goal received another let off midway through the first half when both Maynard and Amond narrowly failed to connect with Shephard's low cross which sailed across the six-yard box.

But Colchester did fall behind on the half hour when Joss Labadie finished low and confidently past George, after he had been picked out by Josh Sheehan following a well-worked move.

The U’s almost fell further behind a few minutes later when Haynes' curled effort from long range was gathered at the second attempt by George, as Colchester went in at the break trailing.

The second half followed a similar pattern although Newport keeper Nick Townsend was called upon just before the hour mark to make a diving save and push Harriott's first-time shot from 20 yards away for a corner.

That was Colchester’s first shot on target and their task was made even harder when Nouble was sent off after picking up two bookings in the space of two minutes for fouls on Liam Shephard and Sheehan.

Newport then doubled their lead in the 78th minute through Amond, who prodded home at the far post after a free-kick had been helped on at the near post.

Matt Dolan did well to hook away the danger after Harriott had beaten Townsend to the ball and looped an effort towards goal, with five minutes to go.

But the U's could not find consolation, as they fell to defeat.

COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Tchamadeu, Eastman, Smith, Clampin (sub Sowunmi, 79), Wiredu, Chilvers, Folivi (sub Brown, 61), Oteh (sub Senior, 61), Harriott (sub Sayer, 90), Nouble.

Subs (not used): Welch-Hayes, Cowan-Hall, Coulter.

Newport County: Townsend, Haynes, Labadie (sub Lewis, 90), Farquharson, Dolan, Bennett, Demetriou, Shephard (sub Scrimshaw, 90), Sheehan, Amond (sub Lewis, 90), Maynard (sub Taylor, 62).

Subs (not used): Hartigan, Ellison, Telford, King.

Referee: Antony Coggins.

Goals: Newport: Labadie (30), Amond (78).

Bookings: Colchester: Harriott (foul, 25), Nouble (foul, 74; foul, 76), Clampin (foul, 77). Newport: Labadie (foul, 51).

Sent off: Colchester: Nouble (two bookings).