United’s Under-21s fell to a 2-1 defeat to Colchester in a closely-fought game at Elland Road on Monday night.

Both sides had first-half chances to open the scoring as Ross Killock saw his towering header rebound back off the crossbar from Zac Thompson’s right-wing cross.

Eric Grimes was called into action at the other end, producing a fine save to push away Tariq Issa’s effort, while Luke Booker and Noel Hunt both threatened for United in a goalless opening 45 minutes.

Kalvin Phillips tried his luck from distance shortly after the restart but James Bransgrove was equal to his curling strike, before the midfielder steered Brian Montenegro’s knockdown header wide on the half-volley.

Kevin Lokko headed a decent chance over Grimes’ bar, but the visitors did manage to open the scoring on 63 minutes as striker Dominic Smith raced through on goal to fire into the bottom corner.

United were being frustrated in front of goal and Phillips once again unleashed a strike from distance, forcing Bransgrove into a smart stop to push it behind for a corner.

Colchester then doubled their lead through Smith’s second of the evening as he converted Byron Lawrence’s low cross from the left, but United pulled one back after 78 minutes through substitute Luke Parkin’s deflected effort into the bottom corner.

Montenegro and Smith had late chances at both ends to add to the scoreline and United piled on the pressure in stoppage time, but there proved to be no way through for Neil Redfearn’s youngsters.

United: Grimes, Booker, Killock, Del Fabro, Taylor, Purver (Denton), Phillips, Thompson, Dawson, Hunt (Parkin), Montenegro. Subs. Atkinson, Vann, Stokes.