colchester had been drawn away to championship side cardiff city in the third round of the fa cup on 2 january. the game, televised on bbc two wales took place in front of a sparse crowd of just 4,194, the lowest ever attendance at the cardiff city stadium in protest of the club's ownership. cardiff had a 3–0 lead after an hour, but freddie sears scored a consolation for colchester to bring his tally for the season to 13 goals. both tom lapslie and dion sembie-ferris were sent on as substitutes to make their professional debuts in the game.