Report | Colchester United

Colchester United kept themselves alive in the Championship with a two goal victory over Ipswich Town on Saturday.

A Scott Vernon double was enough for the U's to record three morale boosting points and dent their rivals play-off hopes.

The defence also had one of their best days of the season, as they kept their first clean sheet in 39 games with a wholehearted display.

Boss Geraint Williams made two changes to the team as they prepared to take on the side managed by his good friend Jim Magilton.

In a tentative start to the game, it was Town that had the first glimpse of goal, as Gavin Williams ran through down the right but dragged his shot narrowly wide of the goal.

But, from there, the U's began to gain the upper hand with a string of half chances.

First, Kevin Lisbie shot narrowly over from an offside position, before Matt Heath headed over the crossbar from a corner. The referee was erring towards giving the U's the close decisions at this stage and the Town forwards were left somewhat redundant at this point.

Determination in the U's side was ensuring the visitors were not getting much in the way of space, and Lisbie headed just wide on 20 minutes after good work from Ifil to win the ball and set up Jackson's cross.

From a series of corners at the other end, Gerken was called upon to flick the ball away from danger with Lee bursting towards goal.

Lee then got a good header in on 24 minutes, with the U's keeper flinging himself to his left to save at full stretch.

That save proved crucial when the U's took the lead just before the half hour mark.

A ball forward into the box was taken down by Lisbie and although he had to turn away from goal rather than get his shot away, he was able to spot the onrushing Vernon.

The former Blackpool front man had the presence of mind to dink the ball over the tackle that came his way and then fired the ball past Bywater.

Lisbie then almost earned the right to extend the advantage but, as he pulled the trigger, Sito was on his toes to block the shot.

Town were sparked into life - they came close twice as Lee escaped into the box and fired a low cross across the area which just missed the onrushing Williams.

Next, Lee bullied Heath off the ball and it seemed he would be certain to score only to drag his shot horribly wide of Gerken's goal.

The U's were now hoping for the half time whistle and first Gerken saved from Simpson with a fine stop before the visitors had the ball in the net.

As a loose ball came out to Quinn on the outside of the box, he fired in a shot across goal which Haynes deflected home - only to be flagged offside.

The U's got to the break a goal ahead and, with Southampton winning against Bristol City, the home team knew they had to hold onto their advantage.

Eight minutes into the second half, there was a sharp inhalation of breath as Lee wrestled with two U's players in the box and fell to the floor but the referee showed no interest in giving the decision.

Lee was in the thick of the action through the second half but was often left frustrated as the U's players got the better of him.

Town were having the better of the pressure but the U's went close on 62 minutes as Lisbie got away down the right and set the ball back for Jackson, who let the ball run across him but sidefooted wide with his left foot.

The U's were defending manfully though and that was typified by a forty yard run by Elito who tracked Simpson all the way back towards his own goal and stopped the ball getting in.

Seven minutes after Jackson's chance, Vernon broke away through the middle but opted to pass out wide to Duguid just as it opened up in front of him.

However the forward made no mistake on 73 minutes as he made space on the left hand edge of the box and got a clean connection on the shot to find the far side netting for 2-0.

The U's had seventeen minutes to see the game out and Town came back at them. With Haynes now playing right wing, he twice cut into the box and laid the ball into the danger area, only for flying U's bodies to block the ball at the key moment.

Clear cut chances remained limited though and it was not until four minutes from time that Gerken was called into serious action.

The ball came to substitute Rhodes eight yards out, who spun sharply and fired in a shot which saw the U's keeper turn wide with an outstanding stop.

A minute later, the U's broke their shackles and burst away on the break. Lisbie twisted and turned three or four times on the edge of the box but miscued his final shot and pulled it narrowly wide.

The U's held firm despite late Town set pieces and recorded not only a memorable derby win but that much awaited clean sheet.

The Championship experience lives on for a little longer.