The U's reserves grabbed an impressive win at Northampton on Tuesday as Tom Webb and Jimmy Pirie grabbed the goals.

Pirie came off the bench to replace the injured Jamie Guy and notched his first reserve team goal alongside the prolific Webb.

The first chance of the game fell to the Cobblers Shaun Goodall on four minutes but his shot from an acute angle was turned round the post by triallist Colchester keeper Craig Ross.

Chris Dunn made a good save on 10 minutes, getting down well to his left to deny Anthony Wordsworth.

Colchester then took the lead a minute later, Thomas Webb's left-footed shot just going under the body of Dunn.

As the Cobblers looked for a quick response, having been played in by Ritchie Jones, Shawn Richards was denied by the feet of Ross.

Colchester doubled their lead on 17 minutes, substitute Jimmy Pirie finishing well past Dunn.

Thomas Webb was played in by Kemi Izzet on 32 minutes but having timed his run well to beat the Cobblers off-side trap he blazed his shot over the bar.

Chris Dunn made an excellent save on the hour mark, going down well to his left to keep out Kevin McLeod's powerfully driven effort.

Danny May cut in from the right on 64 minutes but his shot across goal flashed just wide of the far post.

Shawn Richards made a good run from inside his own half on 69 minutes but his cut-back from the by-line somehow just managed to evade everyone in the U's area.

Ian Sampson's side continued to press and on 73 minutes a superb defence-splitting ball from Alex Dyer released Wes emery but his shot was well parried by Craig Ross.

Alex Dyer tried his luck from distance on 79 minutes but his effort from fully 25-yards went just high and wide of the Colchester goal.

That proved to be the last action of note and despite having battled hard in the second half Colchester's two first half goals in the end proved to be decisive.

With big thanks to Gareth Willsher for his help with this report.