Medway pushed high-flying Colchester all the way before losing the second close-fought Regional 1 South East match of the season between the sides 22-19.

When the teams met in October at Priestfields there was seven points between them but the visitors were just two minutes from victory against their second-placed opponents, scoring three tries and creating further chances on Colchester's artificial pitch.

Medway captain Tom Beaumont was delighted with his bottom-of-the-table side's display, despite their heartbreaking defeat.

"[That] was a proper shift from the boys today," he said. "We leave with our heads held high.

"We wish Colchester the best for the rest of the season and we hope that we get the chance to face them again next season.”

The away side opened the scoring when Ben Dance attacked from deep and won a penalty in the first two minutes. Owen Church-Mills kicked to touch and from the lineout a rehearsed move saw player-of-the-match Alfie Orris score under the posts for a converted try.

Colchester's hooker broke through the Medway defence for their first try, and the extras left the scores level at 7-7.

A visit to the sin-bin for Dance didn't hinder Medway and on 16 minutes Mo Pangarker completed some well-managed phase play by finding a gap in the Colchester defence to score under the posts. Church-Mills' conversion extended the lead to 14-7.

Colchester reduced the arrears to two points with their second try before the break, although Medway shaded both possession and chances to turn around with the lead still theirs.

The first 10 minutes of the second half were all Colchester but Medway held firm before, against the run of play, scoring a third try. Some desperate defending saw Medway stopped just short of the line but Dance picked up from the ruck and managed to dive under the Colchester defenders.

Winger John Sipawa was stopped short of the line on two occasions as the away side continued to attack, but with 10 minutes remaining Colchester found a rare chink in Medway’s defence and exploited it, running in from 20 metres to score in the corner. The extras were missed, though, and the visitors still led - until, with two minutes left, a massive effort saw Colchester win the scrum against the head allowing their No.8 to pick up and send the ball out wide for their winger to score in the corner.

Medway are at home to fifth-placed Tunbridge Wells on Saturday (2pm).