SAMSON Tovide's goal was only a consolation as Colchester United's under-18s lost 5-1 at home to Wigan Athletic at Florence Park, writes BRIAN WALLER.

The U's lost their 100 per cent record in the Professional Development League this season, as the unbeaten Latics won the meeting of the top two in the Northern and Southern leagues.

Tovide sent a left footer just wide of the keeper’s left-hand post early on for Colchester.

But the visitors took the lead when a delivery from the left was converted in the centre by Tom Costello, after 19 minutes.

However the home response was immediately as a ball into the box was helped on by Tovide and his shot went in off the keeper’s left-hand post.

Tom Stagg forced a comfortable save for the Wigan keeper and the teams went in level at the break.

Within seconds of the restart Wigan were having to clear the U’s attack and were soon conceding several corners.

However the visitors went ahead soon after the break through Costello's second goal of the game.

The U's responded well; Tovide’s cross-shot flashed across the goal area, before a home shot from the right saw the keeper blocking with his body.

At the other end, Collins tipped the ball away but Colchester were playing some neat football, building their play right to left.

However after all the home pressure, in a rare attack forward, Wigan scored again with 20 minutes remaining.

After a strong burst down the left, the cross to the centre, was fiercely driven into the home net by Costello who completed his hat-trick.

The vital breakthrough just would not come for Colchester, as the Wigan keeper saved well.

The Latics scored again through substitute Millen Brown in the 89th minute when he converted a rebound, after a shot was not held by the keeper.

And the visitors completed their win in stoppage-time when a good left-foot cross shot by substitute Chris Sze flew in.