Colchester United 1 Peterborough United 5

Colchester United were thrashed by impressive Peterborough in the first round of the Capital One Cup tonight.

The U’s were looking good when Jabo Ibehre crashed home an equaliser, early in the second half, to make it 1-1, but Joe Dunne’s men were then swept aside by four quality goals.

Gabriel Zakuani had broken the deadlock in the 41st minute, diverting home a teasing cross by Grant McCann from the right flank.

Trailing at half-time, the U’s were level within 90 seconds of the restart thanks to a slick build-up and a deadly finish by Ibehre.

The three changes from Saturday’s win at Gillingham – Andy Bond, Alex Gilbey and Clinton Morrison – all combined to set up Ibehre, who crashed home his shot beyond keeper Robert Olejnik from 10 yards out.

But Posh regained their lead before the hour mark, Tyrone Barnett climbing above David Wright at the far post to nod home from point blank range. The U’s were guilty of over-playing at the back, in the lead-up to that goal.

And the visitors effectively sealed their place in round two, when Tommy Rowe netted the goal of the game in the 68th minute. The midfielder beat Sam Walker all ends up with a real thunderbolt.

Two minutes later and Lee Tomlin scored a delightful fourth, almost rivalling Rowe’s effort with a measured 20-yarder that curled into the far corner of the net.

And Tomlin hjlped himself to his second goal of the game to make it 5-1 with 10 minutes remaining.