A STOPPAGE-TIME penalty by George Cox condemned Colchester United to their first defeat in 12 matches in their opening match of 2025 following a 3-2 reverse at Swindon Town this afternoon.

Cox slotted home from the spot in the eighth minute of time added on to win it for the Robins after Tom Flanagan had been adjudged to have handled in the area.

It was a painful defeat for the U's who looked like they were heading for victory after two Jack Payne penalties had turned the game around at the County Ground, following Ollie Clarke's early opener for the Robins.

But substitute Aaron Drinan came off the bench to strike a late equaliser for Ian Holloway's side and Cox then netted from the spot, to win it for the hosts.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made three changes to his starting line-up, with JK Gordon, Harry Anderson and Tom Hopper, who made his first league start since October, recalled in place of Oscar Thorn, Owura Edwards and Lyle Taylor, who all dropped to the bench.

After a quiet opening to the contest, Colchester fell behind in the 15th minute.

Former U’s youngster Will Wright’s curled free-kick into the U's area was headed in by Ollie Clarke, who glanced the ball past goalkeeper Matt Macey.

Macey was called upon to make an excellent save midway through the first half when he acrobatically tipped over Clarke's fine 25-yard strike.

And a few minutes later, the U’s goalkeeper was in the thick of the action again, pushing Harry Smith’s fine strike away for a corner at full stretch after good play by Kabongo Tshimanga had helped set up the chance for Swindon.

Colchester struggled to get a foothold in the game in the first half and Robins goalkeeper Daniel Barden had little to do, for much of the opening period.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Just after the half hour mark, Macey parried away Wright's 30-yard free-kick but with half-time approaching, Colchester crucially found a route back into the contest.

Anderson was brought down by Joel Cotterill in the area and former Swindon favourite Payne slotted home decisively from the spot to equalise and ensure the U’s went in at the break on level terms.

Colchester enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the early stages of the second half and Payne played a one-two with Hopper from a free-kick but saw his low shot pushed away by Barden to safety.

And the U's took the lead just after the hour mark, thanks to another Payne penalty.

The midfielder scored from the spot despite Barden getting a touch on the ball to put Colchester ahead, after Anderson had been brought down by Barden in the area.

Swindon were upset with the penalty decision, feeling that Barden had been fouled by Gordon seconds before the keeper had challenged Anderson.

The Robins tried to find a route back into the contest and Drinan's fierce shot flashed inches past the far post after he had played a brilliant one-two with Tshimanga.

And Swindon drew level in the 82nd minute when Drinan crashed a shot home at the far post, following a long ball over the top of the U's defence and into the area.

Cox's effort hit the crossbar for Swindon in the ninth stoppage-time and U's left-back Ellis Iandolo was sent off against his old club after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession, before Cox won it for the hosts from the spot.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Egbo, Flanagan, Donnelly, Iandolo, McDonnell, Bishop (sub Kelleher, 90), Anderson (sub Edwards, 86), Payne, Gordon, Hopper (sub Taylor, 72).

Substitutes (not used): Goodliffe, Jolliffe, Thorn, Smith.

Swindon Town: Barden, Sobowale (sub Butterworth, 72), Delaney, Wright, Ofoborh, Cotterill (sub Longelo-Mbule, 72), Clarke (sub Kilkenny, 68), Cox, Kirkman, Tshimanga (sub Glatzel, 72), Smith (sub Drinan, 54).

Substitutes (not used): Cain, Bycroft.

Referee: Tom Reeves.

Goals: Colchester: Payne (45, 62). Swindon: Clarke (15), Drinan (82), Cox (90).

Bookings: Colchester: McDonnell (foul, 30), Gordon (unsporting behaviour, 45), Iandolo (foul, 78; foul, 90). Swindon: Sobowale (unsporting behaviour, 45).

Sending off: Iandolo (two bookable offences, 90).

Attendance: 7,680 (421 U's fans).