Portsmouth U-23s 2 Colchester United U-23 0

Colchester United Under-23s’ fine run in the Premier League Cup ended at the quarter-final stage with a narrow 2-0 defeat away to Portsmouth tonight.

This last-eight tie was played at Westleigh Park, the home of Ryman Premier promotion contenders Havant & Waterlooville, and the U’s were on level terms at the break until conceding in the second half.

Wayne Brown’s side had impressed in advancing through the group stages, following a good set of results against Manchester City, Hull City and Derby, before winning 1-0 away at Sunderland in the last 16.

And the visitors had the best chance to break the deadlock, from the penalty spot, in what was a goalless first period.

Tariq Issa’s 38th minute penalty was saved by Pompey keeper Liam O’Brien, who dived to his left.

Pompey took the lead in the 52nd minute. Nicke Kabamba controlled Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain’s header before slotting past Dillon Barnes.

The U’s could not fashion an equaliser, and Pompey doubled their lead late on, substitute Jamal Lowe racing down the left and cutting inside to beat Barnes from a tight angle, on 84 minutes.

However, this had still been a superb effort from the Essex club’s Academy’s products in the competition this season.

Colchester U-23s: Barnes, Vincent-Young, Peter, Kensdale, Kinsella, Diaz Wright, Howard, Issa, Dunne, Edge, McKeown. Subs: Wilson, Keys, Brown, Jones.