Colchester United exited the Essex Senior Cup at the third round stage as a young U’s side was beaten 2-1 by Heybridge Swifts at Scraley Road.

Swifts, who are managed by former U’s captain Karl Duguid, booked their place in the fourth round with goals from Jack Adlington-Pile and Matt Price.

The hosts were quickly in the driving seat as they went ahead in just the ninth minute when Adlington-Pile, who had scored twice for Swifts in an FA Trophy win last weekend, curled the ball into the bottom corner of the U’s goal.

It was the advantage they wanted and they went close to doubling that three minutes later when first Jordan Cox hit the crossbar and then Price fired the rebounding ball against the post.

Having had the woodwork save them twice in quick succession, the U’s then hit it themselves as Dean Ager’s shot cannoned off the bar from a free-kick by Noah Chilvers.

Callum Harriott then saw a shot blocked on the line as Colchester finished the half strongly and they continued that after the restart before taking the lead in the 48th minute.

The equaliser came when a cross by Ollie Simms from the left was headed in by Freddie Hinds at the far post.

With the tie back level now, both sides were looking for a winner and it was Heybridge who found it.

In the 76th minute, Evans Kouassi tried a driven effort that was parried by Colchester keeper Callum Coulter, but it was only as far as Price and the Swifts man put the ball in the net for what proved to be the decisive strike that ensured Heybridge would go through.