Goals from Cameron McGeehan and Tom Hopper help the U's out of the relegation zone after a 3-1 win at Crawley Town.
The U's took the lead through Tom Hopper when he slotted home from close range. The hosts struck back with Klaidi Lolos, before Cam McGeehan restored the U's advantage before the break.
And the U's went two goals ahead just after the restart when Tom Hopper got his second anc Colchester's third of the afternoon, coolly slotting home on the run toward goal.
Up next, Colchester host Grimsby Town at the JobServe Community Stadium on Tuesday evening.
U’s boss Danny Cowley made four changes to the eleven that started in the 2-1 home defeat to Stockport County on Tuesday evening.
Goodman, Kelleher, Anderson and Akinde were swapped for Hornby, Dallison, Smith and Fevreier, with a slight change of shape for the U’s too.
Now in a 4-5-1 formation, Hornby was guarded by a central partnership of Captain Connor Hall and former Crawley man Tom Dallison, while Ellis Iandolo and Jay Mingi operated as full backs. Ali Smith and Arthur Read played as the holding pair in midfield, with a more advanced trio of Noah Chilvers, Cam McGeehan and Jayden Fevrier supporting Tom Hopper up front.
After an early sighter from Jack Roles for the hosts, the U’s had a good spell of attacking play coming down the right flank through Jayden Fevrier.
The U’s winger had a good run but couldn’t deliver a dangerous end product after getting the better of Conroy. But two minutes later, he was able to pick out his man – Fevrier’s low delivery was accurate for Chilvers with the midfielder forcing a good save out of Addai.
Jack Roles then went close again for the hosts, striking the bar from distance with a right-footed effort, but it was the U’s who would take the lead in the contest.
Ellis Iandolo picked up the ball from Noah Chilvers after some neat hold up play, with the full back delivering a good low cross for Hopper to turn in from inside the six-yard box.
Iandolo, the man to provide the U’s goal went into the book after half an hour after a late challenge on the half way line, with his side pegged back by the hosts before the break.
Arthur Read’s misplaced pass allowed Lolos to stab home at the second attempt, but Colchester United would regain their lead before half time.
Jay Mingi lost possession high up the pitch, but kept on rushing the Crawley defence to force the mistake, sliding the ball over for McGeehan to convert at the back post.
Half time came at the perfect opportunity for the U’s, with Danny Cowley’s side leading at the break.
And the U’s would extend their advantage less than sixty seconds after the restart – with Tom Hopper getting his second of the afternoon. A poor header back allowed Tom Hopper a clean run on goal, keeping a cool head to convert at the near post.
Scott Lindsey and Crawley Town made the first change of the game with Adeyemo coming on just after the hour mark for Jay Williams.
Tom Dallison was next into the book for a cynical foul on Harry Forster on the far side, with Crawley making their second change of the game soon after.
Jeremy Kelly came on for Ronan Darcy, as the hosts continued to put the pressure on the U’s defence.
Colchester United thought they had a fourth, with Tom Hopper thinking he had completed his hattrick but the referee brought it back for a foul on the ‘keeper.
The U’s then made their first change of the afternoon, with Samson Tovide brought on in attack for Jayden Fevrier.
Adam Campbell was the last change for the hosts, coming on for Dion Conroy for the last five minutes of action.
Colchester United were reduced to ten men with less than five to go with Samson Tovide dismissed for an altercation off the ball.
The U's then made another change, with Riley Harbottle coming on for Noah Chilvers.
Crawley added a second late on through Forster's header.
But the U's would hold on to claim an important victory at the bottom of the table.
Up next the U's host Grimsby Town at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Crawley Town starting XI: Addai, Darcy (J. Kelly 72’), Maguire, Conroy (Campbell 84'), Wright, Forster, Williams (Adeyemo 62’), L. Kelly, Lolos, Roles, Orsi.
Subs: Sandford, Adeyemo, J. Kelly, Campbell, Mukena, Tsaroulla, Khaleel.
Colchester United starting XI: Hornby, Iandolo, Hall, Dallison, Chilvers, McGeehan, Hopper, Read, Mingi, Smith, Fevrier (Tovide 81’).
Subs: Goodman, Jay, Wilkinson, Tovide, Harbottle, Akinde, Richardson.
Attendance: 5,223 (965)
