In-form Colchester registered a third successive victory in League Two after a deserved 2-0 home win over Cheltenham.
Kyreece Lisbie and Micah Mbick both scored while Arthur Read’s penalty miss proved not to be costly.
The hosts almost scored after just 22 seconds when Cheltenham goalkeeper Joe Day thwarted Harry Anderson just inside the area.
But the hosts took an eighth-minute lead when Lisbie clinically slotted a low shot past Day after Anderson had done well to set up the chance.
Read’s deflected shot flew straight at Day as Colchester enjoyed the better of the first-half proceedings.
Colchester doubled their lead in the 50th minute through Mbick, who collected Anderson’s pass and found room for himself on the edge of the area before lifting a magnificent shot into the top corner.
United were awarded a penalty two minutes later when Lisbie was fouled by Hakeeb Adelakun in the area but Read’s spot-kick was saved by Day.
Colchester defender Harvey Araujo made a fine goal-line clearance to deny Isaac Hutchinson as the hosts comfortably claimed victory.
