Doncaster Rovers took all three points against Colchester United with a comfortable 4-1 win at the JobServe Community Stadium.
The U's took an early lead after Jayden Fevrier's ball back across goal was bundled into the net on the line.
But the visitors held the advantage at half time after goals from Molyneux and Biggins, leading 2-1 at the break.
The U's tried to fight back in the second half, and did well putting pressure on the goal but failed to land a meaningful blow to Doncaster's defence. The visitors extended their lead with goals from Anderson and Ironside before full time.
Colchester United host Crewe Alexandra on Saturday afternoon; avoiding defeat will preserve their EFL status.
Danny Cowley named a team with one change from the starting eleven against Notts County at the weekend – Jayden Richardson dropped to the bench with John Akinde coming in to start in his place.
The one change saw the U’s line up in a 4-4-2 formation with Sam Hornby in goal, protected by Mingi, Harbottle, Hall and Iandolo. The midfield quartet was made up of Fevrier, McGeehan, Read and Chilvers with Hopper and Akinde in attack.
Colchester United started brightly, looking to make their mark on the game early. Jayden Fevrier did just that with less than ten minutes on the clock after some good play on the opposite flank.
Ellis Iandolo and John Akinde combined, then spotting the run of Tom Hopper in the channel – Hopper’s cross missed Akinde in the middle but fell kindly for Fevrier to knock in at the back post.
But the U’s wouldn’t hold the lead for long. Iandolo was carded for a soft challenge on Molyneux near the touchline, and a short free kick allowed the Doncaster man to run towards goal and shoot into the bottom corner. 1-1 after fourteen minutes.
Jamie Sterry was next into the book for a nasty, high challenge on Iandolo. The U’s bench thought there might have been more in the tackle, but the referee only deemed it worthy of a yellow card with seventeen played.
The third goal of the game fell the way of the visitors with twenty-two on the clock, with Harrison Biggins netting from close range. Sterry got the better of Iandolo to deliver a low cross from the goal line for Biggins to side-foot into the centre of the goal.
Danny Cowley’s side attacked quickly though, looking to get back into the game and nearly did so through John Akinde. Jay Mingi was making progress on the right wing and was able to dig out a cross towards Akinde – but his volley on the swivel was saved by the legs of Lo-Tutala.
The Doncaster ‘keeper’s next save was less convincing, but still as effective. Chilvers played a neat one-two with Hopper tight to the touchline and pulled the ball back towards Fevrier. The U’s man didn’t make contact, but a visiting leg did with the ball lofting up for Lo-Tutala to spill onto the line before collecting again.
No further goals came before half time, with the visitors maintaining their advantage until the break.
The U’s started the second half brightly, putting Lo-Tutala’s goal under pressure without testing the Doncaster goalie. A sure sign that the home side were on top came when the visiting ‘keeper needed treatment despite the ball being in the other half – the two teams headed for further instructions.
Two bookings were issued with less than twenty to play as the game became stretched. Riley Harbottle was carded for a late foul, while Harrison Biggins was cautioned for a nasty challenge through the back of Arthur Read.
Doncaster extended their lead with a third goal fifteen minutes from time. A lofted ball to Tom Anderson wasn’t picked up with the defender squeezing the ball in at the near post.
A change followed for McCann’s side with Rowe brought on for Craig, with the U’s making a change of their own. John Akinde made way for Bradley Ihionvien for the final ten minutes.
The young striker almost made an instant impact, fizzing an effort just beyond the far post before the second Doncaster change. Molyneux came off for Hurst with five to play, with Ironside adding a fourth for the visitors a minute later.
Fiacre Kelleher came on with three to play, as Jayden Fevrier made way for him.
The full time whistle came after four minutes of stoppage time with the visitors taking the points.
The U's now host Crewe on the final day knowing a point will preserve their EFL status.
Colchester United starting XI: Hornby, Iandolo, Hall, Chilvers, McGeehan, Hopper, Read, Mingi, Harbottle, Akinde (Ihionvien 80’), Fevrier (Kelleher 87’).
Subs: Goodman, Kelleher, Jay, Wilkinson, Richardson, Cooper, Ihionvien.
Doncaster Rovers starting XI: Lo-Tutala, Sterry, Maxwell, Anderson, Wood, Molyneux (Hurst 84’), Biggins, Bailey, Ironside (Waters 90’), Craig (Rowe 76’), Adelakun.
Subs: Jones, Olowu, Broadbent, Rowe, Hurst, Westbrooke, Waters.
Attendance: TBC
