Colchester United suffered their third successive defeat this afternoon when they were beaten 3-1 by MK Dons.

Sam Baldock hit a second-half hat-trick for the Dons, after Steven Gillespie had put the U's in front just before the half hour.

Colchester missed a number of chances in the second half, as they fell to another defeat.

Colchester got an early scare when Baldock fired wide from close range.

But they warmed to the task after that and had the better of the first half.

Dons goalkeeper Stuart Searle thwarted both Anthony Wordsworth and Kayode Odejayi, before the U's took the lead just before the half hour mark.

Gillespie, one of three players recalled to Colchester's starting line-up, controlled Anthony Wordsworth's cross well before lifting the ball into the net, after Mathias Doumbe had failed to cut out the danger.

But John Ward's side were slow out of the blocks in the second half and Baldock got the Dons back on level terms less than three minutes after the break with a smart finish, following a sweeping move from the visitors.

Colchester goalkeeper Ben Williams made two good saves in as many minutes to deny Baldock.

But he could do nothing to prevent the Dons striker from putting his side in front just after the hour mark, after Daniel Powell's pass had sent him through.

Williams foiled Baldock again soon after and Colchester struggled to find the openings, although substitute Andrew Bond ballooned a shot over from close range with eight minutes to go.

But Baldock wrapped up the Dons' win with four minutes to go when he converted from the edge of the area, after Williams had parried Luke Chadwick's shot.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester United's game with MK Dons, see Monday's Gazette.