Northampton Town 3-2 Colchester United: Marc Richards nets late winner

Substitute Marc Richards bagged the late winner as Northampton Town beat Colchester United 3-2 in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Section first round.

The Cobblers took a ninth-minute lead when Sam Hoskins crossed for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to chest the ball past Colchester goalkeeper Elliot Parish.

The on-loan Sheffield United striker tested Parish shortly afterwards before the keeper comfortably saved an Alfie Potter free-kick and a header from Rod McDonald.

But Colchester equalised in the 32nd minute when Callum Harriott crossed for Macauley Bonne to head beyond Ryan Clarke.

Potter missed a good opportunity to put Northampton back in front but Ryan Watson did just that four minutes after the restart. The on-loan Leicester City midfielder picked the ball up and advanced before hitting a low drive from outside the box past Parish.

Sammie Szmodics should have done better when he headed wide, George Moncur was also off target and Bonne blazed over from a good position as Colchester tried to get back on level terms again. At the other end, Lawson D'Ath saw his free-kick saved by Parish before Bonne levelled in the 82nd minute when he burst into the box to beat Clarke after more good work from Harriott.

But Cobblers won it three minutes later when Hoskins' goal-bound effort was turned in by club captain Richards from close range.