Colchester 2-0 Chesterfield

Lowly Colchester ended a run of eight games without a win with a deserved victory.

An inspired second-half performance by the Us featured two slick goals from busy midfielder Kem Izzet, who struck in the 57th and 72nd minutes.

For the first he was at the far post to head home a cross from Sam Stockley and he followed this up by finishing a solo run with a low right-foot shot from a pass by Thomas Pinault.

These were Colchester's first goals at home since late September and the Essex team now move out of the bottom four.

Chesterfield, after a bright opening in which Chris Brandon was prominent, slowly faded from the picture and Colchester, far the stronger in midfield, ran the second half.

The home side could have had more goals with striker Kevin Rapley twice just off target with fine efforts.

Chesterfield continually met a stout Colchester back four and seldom threatened a goal. Their best efforts came from Marcus Ebdon who broke through and brought Simon Brown to a diving full-length save.

In injury time substitute Mark Allott went clear but his shot brought another fine save from the impressive Brown.

---

Colchester: Brown, Stockwell, White, Steele, Keith, Stockley, Pinault, Bowry, Izzet, Rapley, McGleish.

Subs Not Used: Morgan, Coote, Odunsi, Baldwin, McKinney.

Booked: Izzet, Steele.

Chesterfield: Muggleton, Booty, Blatherwick, Howson, Edwards, Hudson, Ebdon, Rushbury (O'Hare 74), Reeves, Brandon, Burt (Allott 77).

Subs Not Used: Richmond, Davies, Howard.

Booked: Edwards, Booty.

Attendance: 3,211

Referee: T Parkes (W Midlands).