Colchester United's under-21s were beaten 3-1 by Birmingham City to fall to only their second defeat of the Professional Development League Two season.
Dominic Vose played for 79 minutes at St Andrews, while Drey Wright got another 90 minutes under his belt as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Macauley Bonne headed the U's in front at St Andrews, just after half-time.
But second-half goals from Denny Johnstone, Charlee Adams and Reece Brown gave the Blues a hard-fought victory.
Colchester under-21s' next match is their League Cup tie at Millwall next Monday.
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