Leyton Orient returned from their short away trip to Colchester United empty-handed after a 2-1 defeat at the JobServe Community Stadium courtesy of a Jevani Brown brace.
The Os offered little in attack throughout despite the first save of the game coming from Jobi McAnuff’s sixth minute long-range effort.
Just four minutes later though Brown gave the hosts the lead – taking down Michael Folivi’s lofted through ball brilliantly and slotting past Lawrence Vigouroux.
Colchester were the more threatening side and that continued into the second-half with Brown forcing two saves from Vigouroux after getting in behind the Orient backline.
Those chances came after a crucial intervention from Miles Welch-Hayes to stop first Louis Dennis and then Conor Wilkinson as Orient searched for an equaliser.
But Brown doubled Colchester’s advantage in the 72nd minute as Orient could only half-clear the danger following a good Vigouroux save.
Orient did net a consolation through Conor Wilkinson two minutes from time as Sam Ling’s shot deflected off him to beat Dean Gerken but Colchester did enough to hold on.