Colchester United picked up another impressive win on Saturday afternoon that was as much about their defensive strength as their attacking flair, to make it their best start to a season in 14 years.

Cambridge had their chances, but the U's were simply more clinical in this one as they kept up the pace at the top of the League Two table.

They also made it seventeen goals so far this season, as they continue to have threats all over the pitch.

The U’s had plenty of possession in the early stages, but had to wait until the sixth minute for their first chance, when the ball fell to Sammie Szmodics on the edge of the box, but his effort skewed just wide.

They went even closer on eight minutes, as Pell struck from distance and it went inches wide of the post with the aid of a deflection.

However, the visitors then had two chances of their own, as Maris’ free kick was tipped wide by Barnes and then Dickenson cleared a header from Taylor from the corner off the line.

Cambridge went on to have a good spell of pressure in a test of the U’s defensive mettle, and it was that defensive determination that proved vital midway through the half.

The ball was played out for Dickenson to nod further forward and Norris then helped it into the danger area for Szmodics to snaffle up the chance and poke home past Forde.

Kent blocked bravely at the other end to deny a chance to Maris at the end of a good Cambridge move, before Barnes athletically tipped away a cross that looked destined for Ibehre in the box.

Pell fired over when he had teammates waiting and it was an open start to the game.

The visitors were having their own chances and looked like they might get level when it fell to Ibehre in the box, but it was a fine save with his legs by Barnes.

That stop proved crucial two minutes later when Norris flicked on for Nouble, who got down the right away from Taft and found the far side netting to make it two.

Ibehre had another good chance on 38 minutes, wafting his leg at a chance that went well off target from six yards out.

And the visitors had another chance just after the restart as Taylor’s header from a corner was cleared by the knee of Norris.

Norris then set Szmodics away at the other end and the U’s goalscorer beat two but couldn’t get his shot away in the box.

Nouble won a corner and then saw his shot saved at one end, before Taft’s header was collected under his bar by Barnes.

The U’s made their first change on 65 minutes, with Dickenson replaced by Senior, whilst Cambridge introduced Barry Corr to give them something different up top.

Nouble then set up Szmodics, whose shot was deflected behind for a corner away from the awaiting Senior.

The U’s saw Norris’ free kick spilt by Forde, before the keeper collected it, but he could do little about the home side’s third with ten minutes to go.

Senior was encouraged by the management team to press the ball high up and it paid dividends as he nicked the ball and bore down on goal, keeping his calm to slot past the keeper.

It sealed another impressive win for the U's, to consolidate their place in the upper reaches of the division as things start to take shape.