Cardiff City made light of their problems off the field with a rampant second-half display as they came from a goal down at home to beat Colchester.
Despite dominating the first half, Cardiff trailed after Johnnie Jackson smashed home moments before half-time.
But Steve Thompson soon headed Cardiff level, before a powerful drive from Peter Whittingham put them ahead.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink then crashed in a Whittingham cross, with an Adam Virgo own goal completing the U's misery.
Cardiff assistant manager Terry Burton:
"Our approach play was better and all that was missing in the first half was the final ball.
"After going behind we came back strongly, produced good crosses into the box and got players on them."
Colchester manager Geraint Williams:
"Cardiff played the conditions far better than us and fully deserved to win on their second-half performance.
"Though I was a Cardiff fan as a youngster all I am concentrating on is getting enough points for Colchester so that we remain in the Championship while our new ground is being built."
Cardiff: Schmeichel, McNaughton (Capaldi 81), Loovens, Johnson, Gunter, Whittingham, McPhail (Rae 75), Parry, Ledley, Thompson, Hasselbaink (MacLean 82).
Subs Not Used: Oakes, Purse.
Goals: Thompson 52, Whittingham 57, Hasselbaink 66, Virgo 70 og.
Colchester: Gerken, Duguid (Baldwin 67), Elokobi, Connolly, Virgo (Granville 73), Jackson, Watson, Yeates, McLeod, Lisbie, Sheringham (Platt 71).
Subs Not Used: Guttridge, Cousins.
Booked: Connolly, Yeates.
Goals: Jackson 45.
Att: 11,006
Ref: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~07~RS~)