Colchester United 0 Notts County 1

Colchester United suffered a damaging defeat, at the hands of fellow strugglers Notts County at a three-quarters empty Weston Homes Community Stadium tonight.

The Magpies had lost six of their previous seven matches, but they were good value for the three points against a dreadfully disappointing Us side.

Paddy McCourt struck with the winner in the 68th minute, diving full length to direct home a pinpoint header from Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s teasing cross.

The relegation-threatened U’s flattered to deceive all night, although they did improve after a very lack-lustre first-half display.

With 10 minutes remaining, the U’s almost sneaked an equaliser. Macauley Bonne’s goal-bound shot, from the edge of the box, was cleared off the goal-line by Adams.

But it was not to be for the U’s.

Squads

COLCHESTER: Walker, Wynter, Osborne, Eastman, Briggs, Szmodics (sub Healey, 75), Gilbey, Moncur (sub Fox, 75), Massey, Bonne (sub Marriott, 82), Porter. Unused subs: Lewington, Lawrence, Sembie-Ferris, Hewitt.

NOTTS COUNTY: Carroll, Mullins, Edwards, Hollis, Adams, Campbell-Ryce, Jones (sub Lita, 62), Noble, C Thompson, McCourt (sub Hayhurst, 82), G Thompson (sub Bajner, 82). Unused subs: Pilkington, Smith, Wroe, Newton.

Referee: C Berry (Surrey)

Attendance: 2,505