Colchester were eliminated from the League Cup in the first round by Leyton Orient, while Gillingham beat the U's following a penalty shoot-out in the Football League Trophy. In the FA Cup, the U's beat Bromley and Hereford United on their way to the third round, but were heavily beaten 7–0 at Deepdale by Preston North End in the game prior to their 5–0 home defeat by Norwich.
