Two first-half goals in quick succession from Marcus Maddison condemned Colchester United to their first League One defeat of the season at Peterborough United this afternoon.

Maddison struck twice – in the 31st and 34th minute – to give Posh a 2-1 victory, with his equaliser coming barely a minute after Macauley Bonne had given the U’s the lead at London Road.

Conor Washington prodded wide at the near post from Kgosi Ntlhe’s cross early on for Peterborough while at the other end, Bonne glanced a header just wide for Colchester from Richard Brindley’s floated cross, soon after.

Another teasing Brindley’s fine teasing cross evaded both Bonne and Darren Ambrose in the area before sailing away for a goal-kick.

And George Moncur’s low drive straight into the arms of Posh keeper Ben Alnwick from 25 yards midway through the half, as the U’s pressed.

Colchester made the breakthrough on the half hour through Bonne, who slammed into the roof of the net from close range from Massey’s excellent first-time cross.

But the U’s joy was short-lived and Peterborough were back on level terms less than a minute later when Maddison’s fortuitous curling effort from the left flew past Colchester keeper Elliot Parish and into the net for 1-1.

And less than three minutes later, the U’s found themselves behind when Maddison’s low effort from the edge of the area squirmed past Parish and into the net.

Colchester were dealt another blow just before half-time when left-back Matthew Briggs limped off following a rash challenge by Peterborough’s Joe Gormley, resulting in youngster Kane Vincent-Young coming on in his place.

Bonne dragged well wide from Ambrose’s lay-off in the early stages of the second half.

And Ambrose had an attempt at goal himself minutes later when he tried to curl a shot into the far top corner but the ball sailed well wide.

Colchester were left aggrieved on the hour when Alnwick raced out of his area and was adjudged to have handled the ball to prevent Massey from racing through on goal but was only booked for the misdemeanour when the U’s felt he should have been sent off.

The U’s sent on Sammie Szmodics and Dion Sembie-Ferris in a bid to find an equaliser but it was not forthcoming, as Colchester tasted a league defeat for the first time this season.

For five pages of coverage on the U’s game at Peterborough United, see Monday’s Daily Gazette.