COLCHESTER United's under-23s were beaten 2-0 at in-form Cardiff City who chalked up a tenth straight win, writes BRIAN WALLER.

Dave Huzzey's side were beaten by two first-half goals after making the long trip to South Wales to take on the Bluebirds in the Professional Development League, at the Leckwith Stadium.

It was an unenviable task for the U's youngsters, against a Cardiff side who had won all nine league games this season.

And Cardiff's starting line-up featured first-team players Ciaron Brown, Joel Bagan and Tom Sang.

Colchester were soon behind after 12 minutes as Chanka Zimba beat his marker and fired home after he was set up by a cross from Joel Bagan.

The pair combined again but this time in the opposite order as Zimba set up Bagan to make it 2-0, after 23 minutes.

First-year scholar Freddie Price had the U’s best first half chance and keeper Ted Collins did well to save a Zimba effort at his near post.

After the interval Colchester had a few half chances which the Cardiff central defenders dealt well with and Keenan Patten was a threat for City but again Collins made the save.

Thomas Sang saw the visiting keeper failing to hold the ball, but the U’s defence cleared the danger.

However, Colchester were unable to get back into the game and fell to defeat.

Colchester United: Ted Collins, Emmanuel Martins, Bradley Chawaka, Frankie Terry, Al Amin Kazeem, Freddie Price, Sam Cornish, Tom Stagg, Jake Hutchinson, Donell Thomas, Harvey Sayer.