Colchester United's pre-season programme ended in defeat after they were beaten 1-0 by a young Fulham side in their final friendly of the summer.

Moussa Dembele's well-taken header on the half hour proved the difference between the two sides at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and will have given U's boss Tony Humes plenty of food for thought ahead of their League One curtain-raiser against Blackpool, next Saturday.

There were plenty of plus points for the U's, with keeper Sam Walker getting another 45 minutes under his belt in his comeback from a knee injury and the likes of Gavin Massey, Kane Vincent-Young and Alex Gilbey looking sharp.

But the U's drew a blank in front of goal, perhaps further emphasising their need to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season.

Goalkeepers Walker and Elliot Parish both played 45 minutes each and the likes of Frankie Kent, Kane Vincent-Young and Macauley Bonne also featured for the U’s.

Fulham, coached by former Norwich City boss Peter Grant, fielded a young starting line-up with the Championship club’s first team in action at the same time in a friendly against Crystal Palace, at Craven Cottage.

But there were some recognisable names in their side, with the likes of Frenchman Dembele, former Ipswich Town loanee Ryan Tunnicliffe and ex-Arsenal youngster Thomas Eisfeld all featuring.

Colchester started brightly, with Fulham keeper Marek Rodak pushing away efforts from midfield duo Alex Gilbey and George Moncur in quick succession.

But the Cottagers warmed to the task after that and Emerson Hyndman should have scored after being picked out by Dembele ten yards from goal, sweeping a low effort wide of the near post.

Fulham came even closer to scoring when the impressive Thomas Eisfeld’s accurate lobbed effort from an acute angle was heading into an empty net before Alex Wynter headed off the line from under his own crossbar.

A minute later, Cameron Burgess’s fierce effort rattled the post from a corner, before Parish pulled off a good save to deny Larnell Cole seconds later, as Fulham threatened.

And the deadlock was finally broken by the visitors on the half hour through Dembele, who steered a well-directed header past Parish from ten yards from skipper Jack Grimmer’s cross.

Indeed, Colchester might have trailed by more than one goal at the break, with Eisfeld blasting over when he should have hit the target and Parish pushing away Dembele’s side-footed effort.

It was a similar story at the start of the second half, with Fulham a whisker away from doubling their lead two minutes after the interval.

Matt Smith raced onto Eisfeld’s defence-splitting pass and drew Parish from his line but could only fire into the side netting.

Opportunities were at more of a premium for both sides in the second half but Bonne was presented with a great chance when he raced onto Moncur’s pass with 18 minutes remaining, only to be foiled by keeper Rodak.

Dan Holman headed over from fellow substitute Dion Sembie-Ferris's cross with five minutes remaining but Walker had to save from Smith late on, as the U's fell to defeat.

For a match report, pictures and full reaction to the U’s friendly with Fulham, see Monday’s Daily Gazette.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Parish (sub Walker, 46), Brindley (sub Olufemi, 85), Wynter (sub Eastman, 46), Kent (sub James, 87), Vincent-Young, Edwards (sub Holman, 73), Moncur (sub Curtis, 73), Gilbey (sub Dunne, 81), Bonne (sub Lapslie, 73), Massey, Porter (sub Sembie-Ferris, 46).

Attendance: 642.