TWO first-half goals secured Colchester United's under-21s a 2-1 win over Watford at the JobServe Community Stadium tonight.

Liam Bailey's side were deserved winners in their penultimate game of the Professional Development League season, with Archie Oliver and Kaleel Green both on target in the victory.

Substitute Jake Watkiss' deflected free-kick in stoppage-time gave the Hornets late hope but the U's held out to win.

Chances were at a premium for both sides in the early stages, with the U’s fielding a number of their under-18 players.

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Colchester felt they should have had a penalty in the 22nd minute when Frankie Terry appeared to be dragged down by Aiden Coyne, the son of former U's skipper Chris Coyne, in the area following a set-piece but the referee waved away the U’s claims.

And soon after, Oliver’s free-kick from just over 20 yards spun wide of the far post.

Colchester were forced into a change on the half hour when right-back Elkanah Akor was forced off with an injury and replaced by a trialist.

Both sides prodded and probed at their opponents’ defences without really causing any damage until the 33rd minute, when the Watford trialist was adjudged to have brought down Green in the area and a penalty was awarded.

Archie Oliver duly tucked away the resultant spot-kick, to give the U’s the lead.

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And Colchester extended their advantage, in the 43rd minute.

Hakeem Sandah, who enjoyed an impressive first half, ran towards the Watford defence and when his shot was blocked, it deflected into the path of Green who coolly controlled the loose ball before calmly stroking it past goalkeeper Roraigh Browne.

It meant that Colchester went in at the break in command but they were forced into another change at half-time, with Max Jolliffe on for the injured Sandah.

Watford started the second half brightly without seriously testing U's goalkeeper Jack Sexton and the U's looked comfortable, keeping their lead.

Green had a decent opening to score his second of the contest when he found himself in a position to shoot inside the box but his shot was blocked.

Clearcut opportunities were few and far between for either side in the second half but Watford were given late hope when substitute Watkiss's free-kick was deflected in at the near post, in the first minute of stoppage-time.

However, the U's held out to claim the win.

Colchester under-21s' final game of the season is on Friday when they host Sheffield United, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

COLCHESTER UNITED U21: Sexton, Akor (sub trialist, 30), Aman (sub Edwards, 59), Terry, Lowe, Oliver, Sandah (sub Jolliffe, 46), Green (sub Godziemski, 82), trialist, Mupomba (sub Newby, 82), Oni.

Watford U21: Browne, Eames (sub Gould, 49), Buers (sub Torres, 71), Coyne, Clarridge, Abbott, Adu-Poku (sub Watkiss, 71), trialist, Adeyemo (sub trialist, 75), Grieves, Massiah-Edwards.

Subs: Ortelli, Gould.

Goals: Colchester: Oliver (34), Green (43). Watford: Watkiss (90).