Jon Macken had a goal controversially ruled out early in the second-half as Town went down to a first defeat in six games.

The Republic of Ireland international bundled the ball into the net after Colchester 'keeper Aidan Davison had kept out Alan Lee's close range shot but referee Lee Probert awarded a free-kick for the home side for a foul to halt Blues' celebrations.

Karl Duguid got the only goal of the game on eight minutes to settle the first League meeting between the clubs in 49 years.

Sylvain Legwinski and Simon Walton returned to the starting line-up for Town after recovering from hamstring injuries, Matt Richards and Gavin Williams making way.

Alex Bruce was back in the squad after serving a one match suspension but had to settle for a place on the bench, Williams, as expected, ruled out with a groin injury.

Colchester started far the brighter side, Jamie Cureton crossing wide from decent position then Sito covering in the middle as Chris Iwelumo threatened.

Legwinski fired a yard wide as Town broke on eight minutes but seconds later the home side were ahead, Cureton firing low across goal and Lewis Price could only palm the ball out to Duguid, who sidefooted into the empty net.

Cureton's darting runs caused the Town defence problems throughout the first-half, the former QPR striker winning a free-kick on the edge of the box, Kevin Watson firing straight at Price.

The Town 'keeper was in action again soon after, collecting Duguid's cross after the midfielder had skipped past Sito.

Darren Currie's corner almost found Jason De Vos at the nearpost, Aidan Davison making the save.

Currie then sent a left foot shot into the sidenetting, the midfielder then setting up De Vos but his header went well wide.

A cushioned header by Kem Izzet set up Cureton, who blitzed a shot a yard wide with Izzet then winning a free-kick which was held by Price from Wayne Brown's left foot curler.

Mark Noble went close from Macken's cross, Davison winning the race for the loose ball but it was Colchester who continued to carve out the clearer chances, Izzet almost getting in on a long ball.

Town's best chance came just before the break, Currie's cross headed on by Dan Harding with Lee sliding the ball past the far post by inches.

Legwinski picked up an early booking for a foul on Izzet on 49 minutes then seconds later Town had the ball in the net, Lee bundling his way through and seeing his shot saved by Davison with Macken forcing the ball in.

Referee Probert awarded a foul though, presumably against Lee, with Richard Naylor and De Vos leading the protests over the decision.

Town needed a smart save from Price to deny Iwelumo seconds later, Richard Garcia sending the rebound wide.

Macken picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Izzet as Blues certainly started the second-half with much more spark than shown in the first 45 minutes.

Billy Clarke replaced Macken on 65 minutes, the teenager returning to Layer Road where he spent a month on loan last season.

Clarke was immediately in the action, just failing to get on the end of a Currie cross.

Colchester continued to carve out chances and Garcia sent a free header straight at Price from eight yards.

Davison kept his side in front on 70 minutes, Clarke latching on to Lee's knockdown header but the youngster's left foot strike was blocked by the Colchester 'keeper.

Cureton was booked soon after for timewasting, the offside flag ruling against him but the striker still having a shot at goal.

Legwinski volleyed goalwards on 80 minutes as Town pressed for an equaliser, the ball taking a deflection to go a yard wide, Brown beating De Vos to the resultant corner to clear.

Macken - goal disallowed

Iwelumo had a header saved by Price as the game entered the last five minutes, Dean Bowditch replacing Walton with Town's second change.

Brown picked up Colchester's only booking of the game seconds from the end with Naylor almost getting a last gasp equaliser but it wasn't to be for Blues with home 'keeper Davison picking up the man of the match award.

Town: Price, Sito, De Vos, Naylor, Harding, Noble, Walton (Bowditch 86), Legwinski, Currie, Lee, Macken (Clarke 65). Subs not used: Supple, Richards, Bruce. Booked: Legwinski, Macken.