Tranmere Rovers were defeated by two goals to nil at Colchester United after goals from Joe Taylor and Brad Ihionvien.

The hosts started brightly, and Dan Pike got in to make a crucial block when Samson Tovide found space in the box.

Colchester forged ahead on 11 minutes, Joe Taylor getting in behind the Rovers defence.

Pike forced a save out of Owen Goodman in the home goal shortly after with a cross-shot.

Pike continued to threaten in his wing-back berth, causing the hosts problems down their left-hand side.

Luke McGee produced a fine save one-on-one to prevent Noah Chilvers from chipping the ball over him on the half-hour mark.

The hosts continued to knock on the door as the first half wore on, but McGee helped to keep the scores level.

Regan Hendry and Connor Jennings both went close to an equaliser during eight minutes of stoppage time, but the hosts went into the break one ahead.

Reece McAlear and Charlie Jolley entered the fray shortly after the restart, the former crossing well from the right for Jennings who nodded narrowly over.

Sam Taylor and Jolley combined on the break to forge a great chance for Rovers shortly after the hour mark, but the latter shot just wide.

McGee put in a goalkeeping masterclass to prevent several Colchester chances one-on-one in the second half.

Connor Wood came on to make his Rovers debut alongside Josh Hawkes in the places of Regan Hendry and Sam Taylor after the second of two drinks breaks in the Essex sun.

The hosts doubled their lead on 87 minutes through substitute Brad Ihionvien.

There were 11 minutes added on in which Rovers looked to pull one back, but ultimately the hosts took the points in Essex.

Colchester United: Owen Goodman, Connor Hall, Samson Tovide, Noah Chilvers, Cameron McGeehan, Zach Mitchell, Arthur Read, Mandela Egbo, Joe Taylor, Al-Amin Kazeem, Jayden Fevrier.

Subs: Smith, Greenidge, Bandeira, Mingi, Akinde, Thomas, Ihionvien.

Tranmere Rovers: Luke McGee, Dan Pike, Joe Yarney, Tom Davies (C), Jordan Turnbull, Kieron Morris, Regan Hendry, Chris Merrie, Connor Jennings, Sam Taylor, Kristian Dennis.

Subs: Walker, Hawkes, Jolley, Murphy, McAlear, Apter, Wood.