QPR's Under 18's lost 3-0 to Colchester United in the Semi-Final of the Puma Youth Alliance Cup this afternoon in difficult weather conditions.

Steve Brown's youngsters were well beaten by the U's, who took the lead as early as the eighth minute in front of 150 Rangers supporters, which included QPR FC Chairman Gianni Paladini, at Harlington.

The score remained 1-0 at the break, but the hosts were dealt a double blow when Romone Rose (illness) and Chris Arthur (knee) were forced off during the interval.

Four minutes into the second half, Colchester doubled their lead and in injury time they put the gloss on their performance with a third.

The R's had some good opportunities to get themselves back into the match at 2-0 down through Danny Fernandez, but he pulled his effort wide, while Aaron Morgan-Cummings and Antonio German were both denied by a double save from the visiting keeper.

Despite the disappointment of the result, a definite positive to come from the match was the return of Danny Maguire, who has been sidelined for the past four months with a foot injury.

The midfielder came on for the final 15 minutes.

Colchester will now play the winners of Brighton and Brentford in the Final, while the R's prepare for a tough match with Gillingham next weekend.

The R's are currently top of the league, but know it won't be easy against the second-placed Gills.