Premier BRedbridge & Ilford 5 Colchester 4Colchester's unbeaten run came to an end in a thrilling nine-goal Essex derby courtesy of a last minute goal.

Premier B

Redbridge & Ilford 5 Colchester 4

Colchester's unbeaten run came to an end in a thrilling nine-goal Essex derby courtesy of a last minute goal.

The visitors, who were without three key players, gave a league debut to Mark Prince and travelled with the bare eleven.

The game was an open affair throughout and both keepers were forced into early saves. Both sides also had early goals ruled out by the umpires.

Colchester took the lead after 15 minutes when Craig Warriner deflected a short corner high into the net. The hosts replied and were soon on level terms, but Warriner made sure that Colchester went into the break in the lead scoring a fine individual goal, evading six or seven tackles before chipping over the home keeper.

Redbridge started the second half the stronger side and levelled again when Colchester defender Michael Pearce deflected the ball past the stranded Martin Beaver.

Colchester went into the lead for the third time when Mark Kennedy fired in his first goal of the season from a switched short corner routine.

The visitors then seemed to sit back on their lead inviting waves of attacks from the home side. The pressure eventually paid and Redbridge levelled from a short corner.

With five minutes remaining Colchester gave the ball away cheaply in midfield allowing the dangerous Redbridge captain to give his side the lead for the first time in the game.

Colchester's strength of character showed through as they poured forward looking for own equaliser. Captain Wayne Masters obliged from the penalty spot, beating the keeper with a high flick.

Colchester went close to stealing the points when Simon Collins was inches away from finding the bottom corner of the goal, but with less than 30 seconds remaining Colchester were dealt the cruellest of blows when the hosts attacked in numbers and nicked the winner much to their jubilation and Colchester's despair.

Colchester will look to bounce back this weekend when they take on Wapping at home on Saturday (1pm start) and travel to West Herts on Sunday.