Colchester United

Goalkeeper Sam Walker, already a hugely popular figure, wrote his name into U's folklore with a vital penalty save in the latter part of the game to ensure the U's picked up a massive three points.

With their main relegation rivals losing on Saturday, the gap to the bottom four is six points - and the U's know now that their destiny is very much in their own hands.

The U’s made two changes to the side that had drawn at Oldham five days ago, with Billy Clifford coming in for Andy Bond and Clinton Morrison for Michael Smith.

There were not too many chances early on but the U’s were the first to get a sight of goal. First Morrison fired over the bar after good work by John White, before he then shot straight at Jones with another effort not long after.

The U’s striker tried again with a cheeky backheel after good work by Drey Wright, before Massey followed in, only for his shot to be blocked.

The home side’s early progress was hindered after just eleven minutes though when Thompson limped off with a hamstring injury. Garmston came on, with John White moving inside to centre half.

The O’s were to have the next chance, former U’s man James picking the ball up at the edge of the box and firing in a low shot that Walker collected at the second time of asking.

The U’s got their noses in front on the twenty minute mark. Ibehre brought the ball down well in midfield and sprayed it out wide to Garmston.

The young full back looked up and hit a wicked, curling cross into the middle, which found Massey who buried his header past the helpless Jones.

And it was two five minutes after the first. This time Wilson got in on the overlap down the right hand side and sent the ball into the area.

Morrison controlled the ball with his back to goal, helping it into the path of Drey Wright. His low shot nicked off a defender on its way, which helped it over the dive of Jones and into the net.

Orient hadn’t had much in the way of sights of goal but, amidst protestations of offside from the home dugout, Lisbie was in on his own with Walker, and slotted the ball past the U’s keeper.

The goal gave the visitors fresh hope, and they piled the pressure on at the end of the first half, and having been in control of the half, the U’s were the ones needing the interval to settle things down.

They got to that interval with a one goal advantage, and they almost extended their advantage early in the second half.

Ibehre showed good strength to get down the right and his ball into the box fell to David Wright, who screwed wide.

The U’s were more confident at the start of the second period but still wary of an Orient side looking lively on the counter.

Chances were at a premium and, just before the hour mark, Ibehre powered through, only to smash his shot just past the far post.

Orient were using Clarke’s long throws to good effect, as the U’s were penned in by a series of set pieces.

But it was at the other end that there was the next chance, as Okuonghae headed over the bar from a Colchester corner.

The U’s made their second change 20 minutes into the second half, as Clifford came off to be replaced by the returning John-Joe O’Toole.

The O’s had a Cox free kick that was well blocked, as the U’s continued to defend well,  as the game approached its final fifteen minutes.

The U’s introduced Michael Smith to give them some fresh legs with fifteen to go, but it was at the other end that there was the next bit of drama.

Garmston tripped Batt as he went into the area and the referee pointed to the spot, but Walker guessed the right way to claw away Lisbie’s penalty.

Wilson was booked for a foul on Cox, but the U’s saw the set piece away once again.

The game was into its final five minutes, but the U's were determined that this time they were not going to lose a well earned advantage. 

The O's were beginning to run out of ideas and, although they were in the U's territory, Walker was well placed should anything come into his area. 

The roar on the final whistle showed how crucial the victory was - and Walker was the U's hero.