COLCHESTER United opened their new Weston Homes Community Stadium with a hard-fought loss to Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao last night.

COLCHESTER United opened their new Weston Homes Community Stadium with a hard-fought loss to Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao last night.

The U's went down 2-1 courtesy of an 84th minute penalty from striker David Lopez in the first game at their impressive new stadium.

Colchester's scorer was Scott Vernon, who converted a penalty after Mark Yeates' goal-bound shot was handled.

Artiz Aduriz netted the other goal for the La Liga club, scoring the first goal at the new stadium after 16 minutes.