Colchester United 0 MK Dons 1

Colchester United’s terrible run of home results continued, as they were undone by Dele Alli’s 44th minute solo goal against promotion-chasing MK Dons tonight.

It was harsh on the U’s, who deserved a point for their endeavours, but in the end they had to suffer another home disappointment.

Tony Humes’ men have now lost seven of their last eight home league games, a woeful record that is seriously endangering their League One status.

Back-to-back wins for the U’s, following last Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Oldham, would have seen them rise out of the relegation zone.

Instead, however, they remain stuck in the bottom four.

The U’s will be so disappointed with Alli’s goal, having given the Tottenham loanee the freedom of the penalty area.

Carl Baker’s corner was only half-cleared and Antony Kay lifted the ball into the danger zone for an alert Alli to capitalise.

The unmarked midfielder, having sprung the offside trap, strolled through to plant his low shot beyond the reach of the exposed Sam Walker.

It was Alli’s 14th goal of the season, and it was enough to beat the U’s.

Squads

COLCHESTER: Walker, Clohessy, Wynter, Eastman, Briggs, Fox (sub Gilbey, 46), Lapslie (sub Moncur, 63), Hewitt (sub Sembie-Ferris, 76), Szmodics, Massey, Porter. Unused subs: Lewington, Marriott, Healey, Harney.

MK DONS: McLoughlin, Spence, McFadzean, Kay, Lewington, Potter, Alli (sub Reeves, 64), Powell, Baker, Williams (sub Carruthers, 74), Grigg (sub Col, 81). Unused subs: Burns, Hodson, Flanagan, Green.

Referee: Andy Davies (Hants)

Attendance: 2,974 (248 away fans)