Colchester United 2 Notts County 1

Colchester United made it three wins from their last four games, to inflict a sixth successive defeat on woeful Notts County at a foggy Weston Homes Community Stadium this afternoon.

The Magpies actually took the lead, with Elliott Hewitt nodding home against his old club (twice on loan at the U’s from Ipswich Town in 2014-15).

But Kurtis Guthrie headed home a 24th minute equaliser, before a 75th minute own goal by visiting defender Richard Duffy handed all three points to the U’s.

John McGreal’s men have therefore taken 10 points from a possible 12 in their last four fixtures, following recent wins over Cheltenham and Crewe, and last weekend’s goalless draw at Mansfield.

The Magpies broke the deadlock in the 17th minute, via Hewitt’s close-range header.

Centre-half Duffy flicked on a corner by Carl Dickinson and fellow defender Hewitt ghosted in to head home from point blank range into the centre of the net.

But it took Colchester just seven minutes to find an equaliser.

Denny Johnstone did well to outwit his marker and deliver a superb low cross for Guthrie to head gleefully head home from close-in.

Guthrie did well to stoop low enough to bury the chance, so chalking up his fifth goal of the season.

It was actually a game of few scoring chances, but the U’s came up with the winner on 75 minutes.

Owen Garvan’s free-kick caused mayhem in the Magpies box. Tom Eastman helped the ball on into the danger area and the ball seemed to roll into the net off defender Duffy for an own goal, with Johnstone in close attendance.

Squads

COLCHESTER: Walker, Eastman, Kent, Elokobi, Brindley (sub Wright, 69), Lapslie, Garvan, Dickenson, Slater (sub Vincent-Young, 90+2), Guthrie, Johnstone (sub Bonne, 82). Unused subs: Barnes, Wynter, Doyley, Fosu.

NOTTS COUNTY: Collin, Tootle, Hewitt, Duffy, Audel, Dickinson, Richards (sub Campbell, 82), Milson, Thompson (sub Laing, 80), Stead, Forte (sub Oliver, 64). Unused subs: Loach, Smith, Collins, Hollis.

Referee: Ross Joyce (Cleveland)

Attendance: 3,385 (261 away fans)