Kevin Bru’s goal just before half-time has given Town a 1-0 half-time lead in their pre-season friendly at Colchester United.
Trialists Giles Coke and Larsen Touré started for the Blues with only Cole Skuse not making the trip due to a minor niggle.
Goalmouth action was rare in the opening spell and it wasn’t until the 13th minute that either side threatened, Bru picking up a loose ball midway inside the Colchester half and hitting a 25-yard effort which was too close to U’s keeper Elliot Parish.
Town, again in last season's orange away kit, came close to taking the lead in the 21st minute after a superb interchange of passes on the right. Pitman dummied, Ambrose then played the ball to the striker, who fed former Colchester man Sears, whose shot was blocked by Parish. The loose ball deflected out to Jonny Parr, but the Norwegian shot into the side-netting when he should have opened the scoring.
George Moncur shot wide for the home side, then on 23 skipper Chris Porter battled his way beyond Tommy Smith but the advancing Dean Gerken - also back at his old club - dived at his feet to block.
The U’s threatened again on 29, Moncur hitting a low shot from distance which Gerken could only parry. Porter was first to the rebound but couldn’t find the target as Smith closed down.
Just after the half hour trialist Touré, who had started wide on the right, made way for Dylan Connolly, the Guinean international having made one or two feisty challenges and a couple of strong runs, but had been caught in possession on a number of occasions.
On 36 Pitman looped a header over from a Coke freekick, then four minutes later Drey Wright, son of former Blue Jermaine Wright, shot over from distance.
The Blues took the lead right on the stroke of half-time. Ambrose, who is training with Town as he looks to win a new deal, exchanged passes with Sears on the left, the former Colchester man cut the ball back beyond Pitman but perfectly for Bru, who smashed a right-foot shot past Parish and into the net. The referee’s whistle blew moments after the restart.
Bru’s goal was very much the highlight of an evenly-contested, typical pre-season first half of few chances at either end.
Colchester: Parish, Brindley, Wynter, Eastman, Vincent-Young, Edwards, Gilbey, Moncur, Wright, Porter, Massey. Subs: Walker, Olufemi, Kent, James, Lapslie, Curtis, Sembie-Ferris, Bonne, Holman.
Town: Gerken, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Parr, Coke, Bru, Touré (Connolly 31), Ambrose, Sears, Pitman. Subs: Maitland-Niles, Bishop, Murphy, McGoldrick, Fraser, Crowe, Tabb, Yorwerth, Emmanuel, Kenlock, Henshall, McDonnell, Stewart, Benyu. Att: 4,647 (Town: 2,372).