view to a permanent move. Meanwhile, development squad player Billy Roast joined Isthmian League Premier Division outfit AFC Hornchurch on loan until 20 December. On 22 November, Colchester hosted Coventry City, who consigned the U's to their third consecutive league defeat with a 1–0 victory, in a match that saw Magnus Okuonghae ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured achilles tendon. With this news, Humes made another loan signing of Birmingham City's Will Packwood until 1 January. On 26 November, experienced defender David Wright left the club by mutual consent following a series of niggling injuries and having made only three substitute appearances this season. A makeshift defence lined-up at Milton Keynes Dons on 29 November as Elliott Hewitt, Cole Kpekawa and debutant Will Packwood started alongside Tom Eastman, the only contracted Colchester played in the back four. Dele Alli scored after four minutes before Benik Afobe doubled the home side's lead on 37-minutes, and then scored his second on the stroke of half-time. He completed his hat-trick on 58-minutes, before Packwood was sent off on his debut after fouling Afobe in the penalty area. Ben Reeves converted to make it 5–0 as Humes brought on Jamie Harney for his professional debut. Lee Hodson then completed the scoring to make it 6–0. December Dominic Vose left the club by mutual consent on 2 December having failed to attract interest for a loan move away, while Kemar Roofe returned to his parent club after amassing 35 minutes of playing time during his loan spell. Prior to Colchester's FA Cup second round fixture against Peterborough United, the club brought in experienced Latvia international defender Kaspars Gorkšs on a short-term contract. Having reached the second round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2011, Colchester faced Peterborough at home. Kaspars Gorkšs was placed straight into the first-team squad. Sanchez Watt fouled Michael Bostwick in the penalty area but Sam Walker saved the resulting penalty from Aaron McLean two minutes from full-time. Colchester countered from this and George Moncur scored in the first minute of stoppage time to seal a 1–0 win for the U's. Following the cup triumph, Will Packwood returned to Birmingham on 11 December following a groin injury. On 12 December, Sam Walker extended his contract with the club for a further year until summer 2016. On 13 December, Colchester suffered another heavy league defeat