FA Cup: AFC Sudbury 0-4 Colchester United - League Two side comfortably avoid upset

Colchester United avoided a potential FA Cup upset with an impressive 4-0 first round victory at AFC Sudbury.

The League Two visitors made light work of the lowest-ranked side in the competition from the eighth tier.

Goals from Brendan Wiredu, Freddie Sears, Sylvester Jasper and Shawn McCoulsky saw Colchester win easily.

Wiredu tapped in the opener before a Sears half-volley, while Jasper curled in right footed before McCoulsky netted a fourth in added time.

Hayden Mullins' side will have to wait until Monday evening to discover their second round opponents, with the draw set to take place following the last first-round tie between Dagenham & Redbridge and Salford City.

The U's, 17th in their division with just four wins this season, would have been wary of opponents from four leagues below them, having been knocked out at the same stage of the competition last season on penalties at home to non-league Marine.

• Relive Colchester's win against AFC Sudbury as it happened

But Isthmian League Division One North AFC Sudbury, just a mere 15 miles up the road from Colchester, could not impose themselves despite their 4G playing surface and the support of a full house.

Colchester's dominance from the off was finally rewarded on 35 minutes when Wiredu latched onto a half-cleared cross to poke home on the volley.

Brendan Wiredu opened the scoring for Colchester United with a close range volley

He then teed up Sears for the second four minutes later as the former West Ham and Ipswich striker struck a sweet effort into the bottom left-hand corner from just outside the penalty box.

The pick of Colchester's four goals came after the break when Fulham loanee Jasper picked up a short corner from Armando Dobra before being allowed the time and space to fire home a curling shot into the far corner.

Substitute McCoulsky completed the scoring three minutes into added time as he met Luke Hannant's cross to the near post with the inside of his right foot.

AFC Sudbury joint-manager Rick Andrews told BBC Radio Suffolk:

"I think it was a step too far for us and fair play to Colchester, it was a very professional performance.

"At 30-odd minutes we felt we were getting close and creating chances, but we just gave away two quickfire goals.

"I wish we could've got a goal for the fans as they were outstanding and I told the players at half-time just to give it a real go.

"They're a class side and we were well beaten tonight. To a man, the players worked their socks off and hopefully the supporters appreciated the effort."

Colchester United manager Hayden Mullins told BBC Essex:

"The job from start to finish was a really professional one. I asked the boys to respect the opposition, to give us a professional performance.

"If we'd let them get up a head of steam, it could've been really difficult for us with the atmosphere.

"I wanted the boys to try and control the game and wanted them to stay calm and focused on what we were trying to do. Eventually we took the chances and it was nice to see them put away.

"The aim is to get to the third round and hopefully draw one of the big boys at home, so it was a good night tonight."