Northampton Town 3 Colchester United 2

Colchester United bowed out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, at the first hurdle, beaten by League Two hosts Northampton Town at Sixfields tonight.

The U’s were punished for slow starts to both halves, and so are still searching for their first win of the season after seven league and cup games.

Cobblers striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, broke the deadlock after just eight minutes, by chesting home Sam Hoskins’ teasing cross from inside the six-yard box.

The U’s equalised on 32 minutes, thanks to Macauley Bonne’s excellent header at the far post, from Callum Harriott’s cross.

But Northampton regained their lead within five minutes of the restart, at the beginning of the second half.

It was a cracking goal. Midfielder Ryan Watson capped a strong run through the middle with a stunning shot that beat Elliot Parish all ends up.

The U’s equalised for the second time of the match, via Bonne’s second of the night, in the 83rd minute.

Bonne showed his deadly finishing instincts by racing onto Harriott’s inch-perfect pass to slot over the advancing keeper, Ryan Clarke.

However, the Cobblers grabbed victory just two minutes later, with substitute Marc Richards diverting home Watson’s cross-cum-shot from point blank range.

Squads

NORTHAMPTON: Clarke, Yates (sub Lelan, 46), Cresswell, McDonald, Buchanan, Watson, Corry (sub Taylor, 73), D’Ath, Potter, Hoskins, Calvert-Lewin (sub Richards, 80). Unused subs: Smith, Hackett.

COLCHESTER: Parish, Wynter, Kent, Elokobi, Briggs, Garvan, Moncur, Szmodics, Sembue-Ferris (sub Wright, 60), Bonne, Harriott. Unused subs: Barnes, Edwards, Massey, Eastman.

Referee: Darren Deadman (Cambs)

Attendance: 1,366 (111 away fans)