Town’s Carabao Cup involvement ended at the first round stage after Luke Hannant’s 29th-minute goal saw Colchester United to a 1-0 victory at Portman Road. The Blues dominated and had plenty of chances to score in the first half, but a Rekeem Harper error gifted Hannant the U’s goal and the Blues laboured after the break as the U’s won at Portman Road for the first time since October 1951.

Town boss Kieran McKenna made the expected wholesale changes with only Cameron Burgess remaining from Saturday’s 2-1 win at Forest Green Rovers.

Vaclav Hladky was in goal with former U’s defender Kane Vincent-Young on the right of the back three with Luke Woolfenden returning in the centre having been ill at the weekend with Burgess on the left.

Kyle Edwards and Greg Leigh were the wing-backs with Cameron Humphreys and Harper in the centre of the midfield.

Sone Aluko, who skippered, and Tyreece John-Jules started behind lone striker Kayden Jackson.

For Colchester, ex-Blues Luke Chambers, who captained, Cole Skuse, Tom Eastman and Frank Nouble were all in the starting line-up.

The U’s, whose head coach is former Town defender Wayne Brown, made four changes from the team which drew 1-1 with Carlisle on Saturday, while three players were making first starts. Tommy Smith and Emyr Huws were out injured, while Freddie Sears appeared to pick up a knock on Saturday and Alan Judge is understood to have been rested.

Ahead of kick-off both teams - other than Aluko - took a knee to applause from the sparse crowd with the upper tiers of the Sir Bobby and Sir Alf stands closed.

Aluko created the evening’s first opportunity, playing a low ball in for Humphreys but the young midfielder scuffed his shot through to visiting keeper Sam Hornby.

On three, wing-back Leigh was found on the left of the box but he similarly failed to make significant contact and Hornby claimed.

Town dominated the early stages with Colchester unable to get out of their penalty area with the Blues’ centre-halves sitting midway inside the visitors’ half.

On seven, Harper crossed towards the back post but a Colchester defender dived to head away in front of Leigh, then a minute later the former Morecambe man cut in and hit a shot which wasn’t enough to trouble Hornby.

The Blues continued to have all the possession and in the 14th minute, following a free-kick, Humphreys smashed a shot which sent Ossama Ashley sprawling.

The Town pressure dropped in its intensity as the game reached the 20-minute, although with the Blues still well on top. On 21 a headed clearance fell to John-Jules, who sent a volley well into the stand.

Three minutes later, the on-loan Arsenal man sought to sweep a low near-post corner goalwards but only found the side-netting.

Town should have taken the lead in the 26th minute when Aluko played in Edwards with a clever ball to the right of the area and the former West Brom man cut it back to Humphreys, who seemed destined to score his first senior goal but blazed over from 12 yards.

Two minutes later, having spent virtually no time in the Town half let alone the penalty area, the U’s went ahead following a catastrophic mix-up in the Blues’ defence.

Harper played a pass into his own area from the right between Burgess and Leigh and Hannant gleefully seized upon it and smashed past a startled Hladky to give the visitors an unlikely lead.

On 35, the game was held up after a smoke bomb was thrown on to the pitch by Colchester supporters, the second of the evening following one at kick-off.

The Colchester goal and its manner appeared to discombobulate the Blues and give the U’s confidence.

In the 38th minute, former Blues midfielder Skuse was shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Harper.

From the free-kick, Town, who had got back on top although while still a little nervy with John-Jules now down the centre having swapped with Jackson, created a chance, Humphreys crossing from the left but Vincent-Young was unable to keep his header down.

On 40, Humphreys had another great opportunity, the youngster having been picked out by Vincent-Young just beyond the penalty spot but the academy product scraped his shot wide. The 18-year-old, playing the Sam Morsy role in central midfield, had got into some excellent positions throughout the half but had been unable to take his chances.

Town were unable to threaten again before referee Sam Purkiss blew his whistle. The Blues had dominated almost from start to finish and had created plenty of opportunities but had been unable to take them, the best having fallen to the otherwise excellent Humphreys.

Colchester’s goal came from their only chance of the half, Hannant making the most of Harper’s sloppy pass across his own area. Having been knocked out of their rhythm after conceding, the Blues restored their control but still with an element of nervousness about their play.

Town began their second half search for an equaliser, Aluko hitting a shot into a defender in the 52nd minute, then Edwards winning a corner on the right.

From the flag-kick, keeper Hornby failed to claim when in a crowd of players, the ball falling loose to John-Jules, who shot over. It was another very good opportunity for Town.

The Blues continued to dominate against a U’s side happy to sit back on their lead, and continued to win corners on the right but still without finding the net.

Colchester made their first change in the 57th minute, Ashley taking an age to make his way off and eventually picking up a yellow card for time-wasting. Ryan Clampin replaced him.

Two minutes later, a corner, this time from the left, fell to Jackson with the striker having his back to goal but the former Accrington man could only manage to loop to Hornby on the turn.

Town went close on 63 when John-Jules took down a long pass, then sent over a low ball and Al-Amin Kazeem, making his first senior start, prevented Edwards, who was breaking in from the right, from managing a clean effort at goal and Hornby saved down to his left.

Hornby was in action again two minutes later blocking Aluko’s low curled 25-yard free-kick following a foul on John-Jules.

The U’s swapped Skuse, who was warmly applauded off by his old fans, for Cameron Coxe in the 68th minute, then two minutes later, Town made a quadruple substitution with Lee Evans taking over from Harper, Wes Burns replacing Vincent-Young, Conor Chaplin coming on for Jackson and Harness for Aluko.

Harness went close immediately, the former Pompey man bundling a corner from the left, Town’s 11th of the evening, wide off a defender with the U’s, led by former Town skipper Chambers, maintaining a robust defence of their lead.

On 77 goalscorer Hannant was booked for a dive as he lost the ball to Evans, then within a minute Junior Tchamadeu joined him for wasting time at a throw-in.

Chaplin went wide with a bicycle kick on 79, then Leigh was let down by a heavy first touch as the ball fell to him in the area with the left wing-back the furthest man forward but Town were struggling to work themselves clear-cut chances against the resolute Colchester defence.

Town switched Humphreys for Idris El Mizouni in the 84th minute as the U’s made a double change, Kazeem and Nouble for Samson Tovide and John Akinde.

Eastman blocked a Chaplin’s shot from the edge of the area before the fourth official’s board indicated five additional minutes.

Town huffed and puffed but could find little rhythm with the game stopping regularly as Colchester players took the turf and a fan briefly ran onto the field.

Evans struck a powerful shot but too close to Hornby and Town were unable to create another opportunity before the referee’s whistle sent the visiting fans wild.

The Blues had dominated possession in the second half but had only really created one clear-cut chance, John-Jules’s effort over following a corner, despite all their pressure with the Colchester backline putting in a determined and ultimately successful effort to record their first win at Portman Road since October 1951.

After celebrating with his current fans, former Blues captain Chambers applauded his old supporters, a gesture which was reciprocated.

Town really should have had the game won in the first half having created numerous opportunities but failed to test Hornby significantly let alone find the net, while gifting the U's their goal, their only shot on target all night.

The result, the worst of Kieran McKenna's time in charge in his first cup tie at Town, ends the Blues’ involvement in the Carabao Cup at an early stage having lost to opposition from a lower league for hardly the first time over the last 20 years, Newport County having beaten Town last year by the same scoreline.

Town will be looking for a far better outcome when they face the MK Dons at Portman Road in League One on Saturday.

Town: Hladky, Vincent-Young (Burns 70), Woolfenden, Burgess, Edwards, Humphreys (El Mizouni 84), Harper (Evans 70), Leigh, Aluko (c) (Harness 70), John-Jules, Jackson (Chaplin 70). Unused: Hayes, Edmundson, Donacien, Penney.

Colchester: Hornby, Chambers (c), Hannant, Skuse (Coxe 68), Chilvers, Ashley (Clampin 57), Eastman, Tchamadeu, Kazeem (Tovide 85), Miranda, Nouble (Akinde 85). Unused: Collins, Dallinson, Newby, Coxe. Referee: Sam Purkiss (Surrey). Att: 11,654 (Colchester: 1,447).

Photo: Matchday Images

Carberry added 22:27 - Aug 9 Didnt McK say he wanted a long run in the cups to give our massively talented squad game time? Well thats out of the window.
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blueboy1981 added 22:27 - Aug 9 When are we going to see the McKenna Magic that many of you seem to think he has ?? Other Teams are already proving they can Score Goals and Win - some you'd least expect from !! Thus far, I am not impressed with anything I've seen from us, other than possession and shots - but neither are producing the goods, as usual.
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steve_holmes27 added 22:28 - Aug 9 KMcK is not the man, plain and simple. His disrespect of our only realistic route back, producing our own players through the youth system, speaks volumes. We were poor under him last season (with the exception of Gillingham away) and we will be again this season. We need a set up that finds talent, nurtures them and then plays them in our first team or we may as well pack in trying to be a football club. We buy poorly and don't give youth a chance. Is it really any wonder we continue to go backwards.

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Master_Montage added 22:30 - Aug 9 In the three games played so far Ipswich have had 56 chances 21 of which were on target. Only three goals have been scored. Our opponents have had just 16 chances with 7 on target, but have also managed to score three goals. Not good enough to win a cup game and I suspect if same ratios continue, not good enough to exit Division 1
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Suffolkboy added 22:30 - Aug 9 The shortcomings must be very very evident ; sadly they are the ones all ITFC supporters have witnessed and recognised for too many seasons now – WE SIMPLY seem totally unable to put the ball in the net ! These are professional players , supposed to be more adept ,better trained , much fitter and cooler thinkers BUT seem to show us only their weaker ( or perhaps weakest ) sides on the field of play . In private KM and his coaches will need to let loose an unabated critical delivery to the group ,AND to target each individual too ! There'll be no illusions at ITFC and probably additional work to strengthen soon .On that front RK would definitely bring wisdom,experience and guided stability to the side ( a la Mowbray / DeVos ) . Sort it Blues ! Come on !

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blues1 added 22:30 - Aug 9 Extremely disappointing yes. To dominate the game as much as we did and not score is so frustrating. Unfortunately the 2 clear cut chances we created fell to the wrong man. I 100% agree we need another striker but unless the chances were to fall to him, he wouldnt score neither. People keep going on about hirst but what has he done really? He scored 14 for pompey last season, playing pretty much the whole season. Ladapo only played half of last season and scored 15. So why do fans think hirst is the answer? He may be of course, but there's no real evidence to prove he Is. As for harper? He should never play for us again. I rarely call out individual players but he really isn't good enough. I thought before the game that him and humphries was the wrong partnership in the holding roles and was proved right. Those making statements basically writing the season off just bcse of this result tho, need to take a long hard look at themselves. It's just such a ridiculous thing to say after 2 lge games where we're unbeaten and this result. As for fans suggesting mckenna,out or the honeymoon is over. Grow up. Or u reallyvthunk we should get a new manager in and start all over again from scratch. Thrn after a few games thst don't go our way, sack him, then the next one? And so on? His record is far better than sir Bobby's was when hez1st got the job. Imagine what would have happened had the fans got their way then, and he'd been sacked? Some of our fans.really are so fickle, it's unbelievable.

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brassy added 22:32 - Aug 9 beaten by town rejects nuff said
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Saxonblue74 added 22:33 - Aug 9 Yes it's glaringly obvious that we need a striker, but what concerns me more is this....what is KmK seeing in Jackson?! I'm not too concerned about our exit from this cup but do hope the "feel good" isn't fading just 3 games in? I'm sure a win on Saturday to make it 7 from 9 and all will be forgiven. KmK will be the Messiah once more!
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VitalSigns added 22:34 - Aug 9 Why do we insist on playing with three central defenders for every single game ? Even against technically poor teams who have little or no intention of playing attacking, expansive football. Tactically it is defensive minded and passes the initiative to the opposition. This is especially so when the midfield players are grafters rather than creators or regular goalscorers (Ball, Evans , Morsy , Harper , El Miz ) and when the wing backs are converted full backs (Burns being the exception). Yes we need a striker but without a change in tactics I am not convinced it will make a lot of difference as we simply don't have enough players that can stick the ball in the back of the net.

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Cakeman added 22:35 - Aug 9 The strongest team should be picked every game regardless if it is a league or cup game. Winning becomes a habit and after losing this one we have to start yet again. Yes we have a lot of players who could be in the starting eleven but with five subs in league games there are plenty of opportunities to get at least sixteen playing each game. Why change a winning team? Without doubt we need that experienced striker too, hopefully Mark Ashton and Co are working on that. I am impressed with how the club has been built up over the past year. We have a huge amount of back room staff but they cannot kick the ball. It is the people on the pitch that can do that but I'm sad to say unless we find a prolific striker it will be like us trying a moon landing by flying a Sopwith Camel!

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RobsonWark added 22:36 - Aug 9 I 'd love to see our highly paid players play against the Lionesses. I think we would get whipped by them!! Their passing, through balls and shooting is far superior than our players and yet the Lionesses earn a pittance compared to our highly paid "professionals". And our so called players train a far lot more than the Lionesses!!
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runaround added 22:36 - Aug 9 ITFC's annual embarrassing league cup exit! Every season I think it will be different, every season I am left disappointed and perturbed! I would like to request that for the rest of my life we are drawn away in every league cup tie to a club far away so that I am not tempted to go! Played well first half but missed lots of chances and paid for an horrendous defensive error. Second half Col U packed their defence and we were unable to create enough clear chances

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PhilR added 22:37 - Aug 9 Thing is we don't just need a good goalscorer (although that would be a start), we need a formation and coaching that drives confidence and goalscoring. Keep doing the same things, funnily enough you get the same results. Come on McKenna, sort it out. There's plenty of firepower in this squad, it just needs using properly. And the squad needs a load of confidence, which you don't get from playing Premiership sides in preseason (who beat you) and your second team in the Cup (who get beaten).

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Billysherlockblue added 22:41 - Aug 9 I dont blame kmc . I blame the players they should be ashamed of themselves playing like that. If you want to win at all costs you generally will with heart and commitment. That team could have been our 1st team and we would be happy. The culture is terrible. No winners out there only collecting their pay check. Come on blue start to give it your all . 100 per cent not fits and starts. I dont care about the result if they left it on the pitch. Shameful attitude and for gods sake get a striker or 2. We couldnt hit a barn door and how hard is it to drive a corner into the penalty atea? Come on guys dont come on spouting crap like we can do better crap. Just do it starting next Saturday. Leave it all on the pitch. Please

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barrystedmunds added 22:42 - Aug 9 It's another crap result against a team who we really should be blowing away. The statistics say we dominated, as we usually do, but as ever we cannot convert that dominance into goals, and lots of them. That suggests we have an underlying problem that most of us see as a striker(s) with pedigree to resolve the issue. It may be our system, our believe, our mentality but that's what KMcM has to sort. Looking at the results tonight, a few other “big” teams have gone the same as us so on that note, I take comfort, I think. Onwards to the weekend. COYB

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RobsonWark added 22:44 - Aug 9 I think the problem is we don't have enough backroom staff. Probably need another 10 Mark Ashton - I'm sure you could think of important titles for each of them to make us sound really professional and unbeatable.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 22:44 - Aug 9 Definitely.not.our.finest hour. No penetration despite almost total domination..Colchester would..Never have scored if.we.hadn't.given.it.to.them..We'd better put this.right.Saturday.
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raycrawfordswig added 22:45 - Aug 9 hopefully the owners will kick some Butt.
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Skip73 added 22:48 - Aug 9 Just a thought, maybe if we played the first team had a cup run, it may build momentum and confidence and add to our promotion chances.
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TonyHumesIpswich added 22:49 - Aug 9 Owners will be very upset by this result
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RobsonWark added 22:52 - Aug 9 Billysherlockblue LOL you are so funny "That team could have been our 1st team and we would be happy". LOL!!! That team had JACKSON in it!!!!
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bringonbrazil added 22:55 - Aug 9 Utter shambles. Dreadful team selection by km. But Harper was an utter embarassment, Edwards runs round in circles like a 9 year old, and Jackson non-existent. Ship out that crap. Don't buy old duffer defenders and BUY A STRIKER.
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FrankMarshall added 22:56 - Aug 9 Hopefully will make everyone at the club realise that the depth of squad is a real issue. Couple of injuries and there is no way that we will get promoted this season. Goalkeeper was excellent and should come out of the game with his head held high. For Colchester- an unexpected, quite easy win which will give them momentum in their battle to avoid dropping into the National League. Congratulations to Colchester, good morale boosting win for Chambers, Skuse, Eastman, Nouble and co.

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SickParrot added 22:56 - Aug 9 I accept that promotion at the end of the season is much more important than a cup run but does that necessitate making 10 changes to the team in August? KM justified all the changes in the same way as as his predecessors by saying the team he picked should be good enough to win the game. Well it wasn't and we suffer an embarrassing cup defeat yet again. We're constantly told that we have a very strong squad and that may be the case but it's early in the season and we should be trying to build momentum and confidence, and develop a winning mentality. Two or three changes would therefore be reasonable but not ten. Having made so many changes and lost at home to a league 2 team (again) can only have broken any momentum, eroded our fragile confidence and shows that we lack that winning mentality at the moment. Also given that the "first 11" has been struggling to convert possession into goals is it really a surprise that a "second 11" couldn't score? So here we are only 3 games into the season and KM has created unnecessary pressure on himself and the players for what now feels like a must win game on Saturday.

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norfolkbluey added 23:00 - Aug 9 The writing has been on the wall for some time now but many on here seem totally blind. McK has done some great work building a team, but there has to be better coaches around who should be sought to work on ways to open up defences. Some clubs use psychologists to improve strikers and maybe this is something our club needs because it is so evident there is something missing in the way our strikers are toothless and yes clueless in front of goal. Lack lustre performances like tonight is corrosive and spreads across the players. Without Morsey in the side we are a powderpuff outfit, but it goes deeper than that, we are tactically inept. Get some help McK!

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