The U's picked up all three points against Stevenage with Jevani Brown's perfect hat-trick at the JobServe Community Stadium.
The U's lined up for their Tuesday evening fixture against Stevenage with two changes from the side that was defeated at Newport last week.
Last week's goalscorer Jevani Brown returned to the starting eleven, along with Kwame Poku, with Noah Chilvers dropping to the bench and Luke Norris missing out through injury.
Jamie Cumming was the first 'keeper to be tested when Courtney Senior fired in an effort after six minutes. The Stevenage stopped got down well to his left to deny an early opener for the U's.
But the U's didn't have to wait much longer before they found their opener. A brilliant cross from Bramall found Brown at the near post who had the simple task of knocking the ball beyond Cumming with eleven on the clock.
It was a lead that would last only four minutes though when Stevenage found their equaliser. Tommy Smith brought down Arther Read on the edge of the area with Marcus Dinanga converting from the spot after Gerken's initial save.
The U's had the ball in the back of the net again and thought they had retaken the lead through Jevani Brown, but the flag went up on the far side for Cohen Bramall who was offside in the build-up.
And the U's were peppering the away goal, with Harriott striking the upright with half an hour played. His powerful cross had the beating of Cumming, but not the frame of the goal as the ball flew back into the area off the post.
With the break edging closer, the U's were looking for their second breakthrough but were being tested against the powerful partnership at the back of Prosser and Cuthbert.
The half-time whistle blew with the teams level.
Steve Ball's side started the second period in the same way they had ended the first and were unlucky not to be ahead again. Senior's cutting through ball found Poku, whose deflected effort flicked off the outside of the post with Cumming flat-footed.
But the U's didn't have to wait long before they had their noses in front once again, with Jevani Brown's second of the evening. He raced away and coolly slotted home with fifty-eight minutes played.
And Jevani Brown ensured that his name would be on the back pages tomorrrow morning when he netted a perfect hat-trick with an eighty-first minute header. He latched on to a left wing cross to loop the ball over Cumming and seal the win for Colchester United.
The U's magnificent performance at the JobServe Community Stadium lifted them back in to the top half of the table with the three points, ahead of a week and a half break from league football.
Next up for Steve Ball's side is a home tie against Marine in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Colchester United starting XI: Gerken, Welch-Hayes, Bramall, Smith, Senior, Pell, Brown (Folivi 88'), Harriott (Bohui 83'), Eastman, Poku (Chilvers 85'), Stevenson.
Unused Subs: George, Sowunmi, Scarlett, Gambin.
Stevenage starting XI: Cumming, James-Wildin, Coker, Vincelot (Smith 69'), Cuthbert, Prosser, Carter, List (Effiong 46'), Read, Akinwande, Dinanga (Newton 75').
Unused Subs: Johnson, Vancooten, Marshall, Oteh.