Colchester United got back to winning ways on Saturday after coming from a goal behind to comfortably beat Crewe Alexandra 3-1 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Jordan Bowery opened the scoring for the visitors but a brace from Mikael Mandron and another from Tom Eastman secured all three points for the U’s.
The result moved the U's up to thirteenth and they have started some genuine momentum now, with just one defeat in the last seven.
Former U’s striker Chris Porter had the first real chance of the game, but after being put through on goal the striker poked his effort the wrong side of the post.
However, just eight minutes later, Crewe did break the deadlock. The ball found its way to Bowery at the back post, and his shot just about squirmed under the body of Sam Walker to give Crewe the lead.
Five minutes before the half the U’s drew level through Frenchman Mandron. Kyel Reid whipped in a left footed corner which evaded everyone and fell perfectly to Mandron who made no mistake and lashed past Dave Richards to net his fifth goal of the season.
Brandon Hanlan almost gave the U’s the perfect start to second half, but after being put through by Ryan Jackson his shot brushed the side netting and went wide.
With 60 minutes gone, the U’s led for the first time through a rare Tom Eastman goal. After some good work from loanee Brandon Comley, Eastman nodded in at the second time of asking after his initial shot crashed back off the bar.
It was all Col U and a few minutes later, Mandron slipped his striking partner Hanlan in on goal, but his shot flashed over the Crewe crossbar.
The Colchester United pressure was rewarded and on 71 minutes Mandron bagged his second of the game. Jackson drove forward from right wing back and whipped in a low cross which was met perfectly from the Frenchman as he guided it past Richards to give the U’s a two goal cushion.
The last chance of the game fell to substitute Craig Slater, who intercepted a loose pass and tried his luck from 25 yards, but his powerful strike was beaten away by Richards.
The 3-1 victory means its seven points out of a possible nine for the U’s, with John McGreal’s side looking to improve on that away to Barnet on the 14th of November.