Colchester United were knocked out of this season's Checkatrade Trophy tonight after losing their final group game at Cambridge United.

Harry Pell's late goal proved only a consolation for the U's, as they were beaten by Joe Dunne's side at the Abbey Stadium.

Ade Azeez struck twice for the hosts and also had a penalty saved by keeper Dillon Barnes, before Pell gave Colchester brief hope in stoppage-time.

However, Emmanuel Osadebe responded straight away to seal Cambridge's win and send the visitors out.

Colchester head coach John McGreal made six changes for the game at Joe Dunne’s Cambridge, who made eight alterations themselves.

Ollie Kensdale was handed his senior debut by the U’s, with the 18-year-old becoming the first player born in the new Millennium to play for the club.

Barnes, Luke Prosser, Diaz Wright, Aaron Collins and Mikael Mandron were also named in the starting line-up.

Rene Gilmartin and Tom Eastman, who both picked up injuries in the FA Cup defeat at Accrington Stanley, dropped out as did Ryan Jackson, Courtney Senior and Frank Nouble who were on the bench, while Tom Lapslie missed out completely.

The match kicked off at the earlier time of 7pm – and the U’s almost made the perfect start in the sixth minute.

After good build-up play between Collins and Brennan Dickenson, only a well-timed challenge from Jake Carroll inside the six-yard box denied Sammie Szmodics what looked a certain goal.

And Szmodics was in the thick of the action again soon after when he made his presence felt in the area and almost forced Louis John to put through his own net.

But Cambridge gradually came more into the tie and Colchester had their goalkeeper Barnes to thank seconds later when he made a good save to deny Jevani Brown, who had raced through on goal.

And midway through the first half, Barnes made another smart stop to foil Paul Lewis from close range, after good build-up play by Ade Azeez.

Colchester eventually fell behind in the 32nd minute when Azeez averted Frankie Kent’s attention in the area and fired low past Barnes at his near post, after Emmanuel Osadebe did well to pick him out.

Cambridge skipper Lewis Dunk almost doubled the hosts’ lead three minutes before the break when he hooked a good chance over from inside the area, after hesitancy in the U's area.

And the home side had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 just before half-time when they were awarded a penalty, after Kent brought down Azeez in the area.

However, Barnes denied Azeez from the spot and then recovered brilliantly to save the follow-up effort from the same player, to ensure Colchester only trailed by a single goal at the break.

Cambridge made a double change at the break and went close in the opening stages of the second half, with Osadebe's surging run and 20-yard effort flashing inches wide of the post.

But Colchester registered their first shot on target soon after through Mandron, who fired straight at keeper Dimitar Mitov after being set up by Szmodics’ good play.

Only Carroll’s intervention prevented Szmodics from getting a shot on goal following Harry Pell’s precise through ball.

And just past the hour mark, only a fine save from Mitov prevented Szmodics from equalising, after Brennan Dickenson had done well to pick out the U’s attacker at the far post.

With 20 minutes remaining, Mitov made an excellent stop to prevent Louis John from deflecting Dickenson's cross into his own net at the near post.

But Cambridge effectively wrapped up their win with nine minutes remaining when Azeez did well to lift a shot past Barnes from a tight angle, after Colchester had switched off following a throw.

Pell sent a fine first-time effort past Mitov from Ryan Jackson's throw to give Colchester late hope.

But Osadebe rattled home seconds later for Cambridge, to send the U's out of the competition.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Barnes, Kensdale (sub Jackson, 60), Prosser, Kent, Vincent-Young (sub Gondoh, 71), Pell, Wright, Collins, Szmodics (sub Senior, 64), Dickenson, Mandron.

Substitutes (not used): Chilvers, James, Nouble, Ross.

Cambridge United: Mitov, Carroll, O’Neil (sub Maris, 46), Azeez, Dunk (sub O’Neil, 46), Osadebe, Darling, Davies (sub Halliday, 71(, Brown, Lewis, John.

Substitutes (not used): Taft, Lambe, Iron.

Goals: Colchester: Pell (90). Cambridge: Azeez (32, 81), Osadebe (90).

U’s man of the match: Sammie Szmodics.

Bookings: Cambridge: Carroll (foul, 3), O’Neil (foul, 38).

Attendance: 598 (114 U's fans).

Referee: Antony Coggins (Oxfordshire).