Cardiff City 3 Colchester United 1

Colchester United bowed out of the FA Cup, at the third round stage, after suffering defeat at the hands of hosts Cardiff City tonight.

The Bluebirds were ahead at half-time, through Cole Kpekawa’s unfortunate own goal, and they were in the driving seat following further goals by Kadeem Harris and Kenwyne Jones, in the 53rd and 60th minutes respectively.

But the U’s did grab a consolation, via Freddie Sears’ 13th goal of the campaign on 74 minutes.

The game was played in front of the TV cameras (BBC Two Wales), though in front of a very sparse crowd.

There was a huge slice of good fortune attached to Cardiff’s opening goal, which arrived in the 34th minute.

Joe Ralls’ rather hopeful strike, from 25 yards out, would probably have been easily saved by Sam Walker, but for two horrible deflections off two U’s defenders.

Ralls’ effort clipped Kapsars Gorkss, and then ballooned off Kpekawa, on its way past a wrong-footed Walker.

Unlucky to be 1-0 down at the break, Tony Humes’ men conceded a killer second goal inside eight minutes of the second period.

Skipper Ben Turner headed towards goal and Harris reacted quicker than Sean Clohessy, connecting with an overhead kick which flew into the bottom corner of the net.

Target man Jones, on as a 59th minute substitute, scored with his very touch just 60 seconds later, heading home from Peter Whittingham’s corner.

But Colchester finished the game strongly, and Sears exchanged a one-two with substitute Sanchez Watt before firing home a low shot.

Sears, Sammie Szmodics and substitute Dion Sembie-Ferris also had late chances to set up an exciting finish, but the U’s could not find a second goal.

Squads

CARDIFF: Moore, Brayford, Turner, Connolly, John, Adeyemi, Noone (sub Da Silva, 85), Ralls, Whittingham (sub Le Fondre, 69), Harris, Macheda (sub Jones, 59). Unsued subs: Wilson, Manga, Bo-Kyung, Morrison.

COLCHESTER: Walker, Clohessy, Eastman, Gorkss, Kpekawa, Fox, Moncur (sub Lapslie, 64), Szmodics, Hewitt (sub Sembie-Ferris, 85), Sears, Massey (sub Watt, 61). Unused subs: Lewington, Eastmond, Bonne, Vincent-Young.

Referee: James Linnington (Isle of Wight)

Attendance: 4,194