Goals from Kurtis Guthrie and Brennan Dickenson gave the U's in a positive first half, before they showed real character after the break to see the game out.
Despite losing Tom Eastman, Richard Brindley and Chris Porter to injuries in the lead up to the game, and Frankie Kent and Lloyd Doyley in the first fifteen minutes, the U's dug in and ran out 2-1 winners.
Colchester United ensured they kept pace with the race for promotion on Saturday, as they defeated Barnet on a wintry day at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.It was Barnet who started the game the brighter and looked threatening on the attack, but the game was stopped for a long spell as first Frankie Kent was taken off on a stretcher and then Lloyd Doyley pulled up, which meant Colchester had to use two of their subs in the first 15 minutes.
The stop in play seemed to help Colchester regroup and they scored with their first chance of the game. The U's stole the ball back in their own half and Dickenson played in Denny Johnstone down the wing.
The striker then found his fellow strike partner inside and Guthrie did the rest.
The striker let the ball run across his body then shot from 25 yards into the bottom right corner.
The striker let the ball run across his body then shot from 25 yards into the bottom right corner.
This goal swung the momentum in Colchester's favour and the U's were well on top for a five minute spell in which Barnet keeper Josh Vickers had to parry Craig Slater's goalbound cross.
The visitors still looked dangerous on the counter though, and should have been level when John Akinde found Curtis Weston in the box but the midfielder placed his shot straight at Sam Walker who made a good save with his feet.
From here on, it was Colchester creating all the chances for the remainder of the first half.
In the 41st minute Colchester were rewarded when Slater's header was chested down in the area by Dickenson and the winger converted albeit via a slight deflection off Charlie Clough.
In the 41st minute Colchester were rewarded when Slater's header was chested down in the area by Dickenson and the winger converted albeit via a slight deflection off Charlie Clough.
Colchester had several half chances before the interval but were unable to take any of them.
Barnet defender Michael Nelson did well in his own six yard box to cut out a Denny Johnstone cut back, and then Dickenson had a cross shot go just wide with the keeper at full stretch but it remained 2-0 at the break.
Barnet defender Michael Nelson did well in his own six yard box to cut out a Denny Johnstone cut back, and then Dickenson had a cross shot go just wide with the keeper at full stretch but it remained 2-0 at the break.
The second half was quiet compared to the first with neither side able to create many goalscoring opportunities. This was down to both sets of midfielders dominating large spells and defences holding firm when called upon.
The U's never really looked in any danger as they look to see out the second half and secure the 2-0 win, but this changed with just four minutes as John Akinde scored a header from five yards out as he was picked out by Mauro Vilhete.
With this goal the U's dropped deeper into their own half as they Barnet pushed players forward in search of an unlikely point but Colchester stood firm and were able to see out the remaining minutes and secure all three points.
The U's next game comes on Tuesday night as Crawley Town visit the Weston Homes Community Stadium.