The U's got back to winning ways with a resolute and determined three points at Leyton Orient on Saturday, notching their first win of 2012.
A first half goal - one that both Ian Henderson and O's defender Terrell Forbes both have claims of being given - was enough to separate the two teams.
But it was the U's work off the ball as much as on it that will have pleased both the management team and the fans that made the trip to East London.
They were committed to protecting their advantage and the latest clean sheet was a big boost to the players as they moved back up into the top half of the table.
The U's made two changes to the side following last week's defeat to Chesterfield. Kem Izzet and Gavin Massey came into the side to replace Steven Gillespie and Andy Bond.
Former U's strikers David Mooney and Kevin Lisbie lined up against the U's, as well as Jamie Cureton who was on the bench for the O's.
It was the U's who had the first attempt of the afternoon on goal. Leon McSweeney's headed clearance fell to Anthony Wordsworth but he dragged his effort wide of Lee Butcher's goal.
Former U's striker Kevin Lisbie went close for the home side as he found himself through on goal; however Williams did well to deny Lisbie, deflecting his effort behind for a corner.
It was a cagey opening 15 minutes with little action in front of either goal.
The U's did find a way to break down the Orient defence though as Henderson and Duguid linked up well to set up Lloyd James whose left footed shot was saved well by Butcher down to his left.
Straight up the other end and Lisbie put his header wide of Ben Williams goal after Jimmy Smith's cross.
After a spell of keep ball by the O's the U's looked to counter with Massey down the left but Terrell Forbes did well to stop the U's loanee in his tracks.
A low cross from Wilson caused panic in the O's box as Dean Leacock's misuced clearance almost found Wordsworth but Butcher was on hand to gather up the loose ball.
On the half hour mark the U's took the lead with well worked goal. A long ball into the channel found Gavin Massey who did well to hold the ball up. He sent Duguid away down the right hand side and it was his cross that was bundled in by Terrell Forbes for an own goal.
The U's looked comfortable once taking the lead, stringing together a number of passes and looked to increase their lead.
Orient had big calls for a penalty as Lisbie turned Okuonghae and burst into the box, he went down under a challenge from Eastman but the referee waved away the protests.
The U's went into half time with a 1-0 lead and looked much the better side in the first half.
Into the second half and the U's could have doubled their lead within two minutes. Wordsworth's well timed through ball found Massey who rounded the keeper but saw his effort strike the post and go wide.
The U's had withstand heavy pressure as the home side looked for a way back into it, Okuonghae and Eastman did well to clear a number of headers as the U's stood firm.
Marc Laird went close for the O's but his header couldn't find the target.
In the 65th minute the O's made a double change as Jamie Cureton and George Porter replaced David Mooney and Jimmy Smith.
Lloyd James went close to extending the lead, his superbly curled effort almost found the top corner, only for Butcher to get fingertips to the ball.
On 75 minutes the U's made a change as Kayode Odejayi replaced the lively Gavin Massey.
Shortly after Kevin Lisbie was replaced by Jonathan Tehoue on 78 minutes for the O's.
A superb flowing counter attack from the U's could have sealed it. Henderson did well to pick out Lloyd James but his effort was tipped over by Butcher once again.
A fantastic team performance ensured that all three points were coming back to Essex. The U's had to defend well at times and they did that, keeping the O's at bay, sending all 665 U's fans home with a smile on their face.
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