The Posh under 18s were beaten 4-1 by Colchester United at the weekend.

The Peterborough United under 18s were beaten 4-1 by Colchester United in the latest fixture at the weekend with Regan Carthey the one shining light for Gavin Strachan's men.

Carthey was the standout performer on the day and scored the consolation goal for Posh in a disappointing performance against the U's.

Boss Strachan, who included a trialist in his back four, admitted it was a bad day at the office for his young side.

'It was a bad day. The intensity and the zip to our play in and out of possession was not there, we didn't look after the ball well enough and the stuff we worked in training didn't come off in the game.

'We didn't have enough variety of movement and we fell way short of the standards that we set ourselves. Colchester are a good team, but we were not good enough.

'We got back into the game at 2-1, but then we gave a sloppy goal away. We conceded a goal trying to play out from the back and that killed any momentum we had and the game meandered to the end.

'Regan Carthey scored our goal and he was the standout player. Even after a defeat, he stood out like a sore thumb. He had the mental strength to keep going and from a personal point of view, he should be pleased with his display. He was a nuisance, got his goal and the first year players in particular can learn a lot from him,' Strachan said.

Posh entertain Northampton Town at the Nene Park Academy on Saturday morning (11am). Supporters are welcome.

Posh: O'Reilly, Lunga Lunga, Marshall, Trialist, Burgess, Conlon, Ward, Coulson, Carthey, Phillips, Edwards. Subs: Baldry, Duggan, Luto, Hendry. Akubuine