Cardiff City suffered a disappointing 2-1 Professional Under-23 League defeat against Colchester United at Florence Park in Essex on Monday.

Ryan Pryce, who played for Welsh Premier League The New Saints before joining the young Bluebirds, scored his first goal for the club, but Colchester fought back to take the points.

Cardiff started brightly with Laurence Wootton and Pryce combining well on the right, but the cross was caught by goalkeeper Callum Coulter.

Colchester tried to impose themselves on City and their best chance came after 25 minutes when Todd Miller ran clear, but Joel Bagan was covering and recovered to stop the Colchester man going one-on-one with goalkeeper Oliver Burwood.

Wootton’s header was saved by Coulter and from the resulting corner Ben Margetson headed narrowly wide.

Cardiff went in 1-0 ahead at half-time courtesy of a superbly struck volley by Pryce, who scored from close range.

Louis Dunne equalised four minutes into the second half and substitute Tyrique Hyde scored the winner five minutes after going on midway through the second half.

William Warnock, the son of Bluebirds’ manager Neil, went close to an equaliser, but his shot flew just over the bar from close range.

Colchester United: Callum Coulter, Bakary, Ryan Clampin, Will Wright, David Agboola, Ollie Kensdale, Ryan Gondoh, Louis Dunne, Callum Jones (Tyrique Hyde 70), Dean Ager, Todd Miller. Subs: Aaron Collins, Chris Forino-Joseph, Ollie Sims, Ken Charles. 

Cardiff City: Warren Burwood, Ryan Pryce, Dan Martin, Lloyd Humphries (Sam Parsons 46), Ben Margetson, Joel Bagan, Laurence Wootton, Ryan McDonald (William Warnock 60), Jack McKay, Sion Spence (Jac Davies 85), Sam Bowen. Subs: Matthew Hall (gk), Trystan Jones.

Cardiff City under-23 fixtures:

January

Monday 28 v Bristol City (away, 1pm)

February

Friday 1 v Watford (away, 3pm)

Monday 11 v Coventry City (Cardiff International Sports Stadium, 1pm)

Monday 18 v Millwall (way, 1.30pm)

Monday 25 v Queens Park Rangers (Cardiff International Sports Stadium, 1pm)