Cheltenham Town 1 Colchester United 3

Luke Norris marked his first Colchester United league start with a sweet first-half brace as John McGreal’s men recorded a first away win of the season at Cheltenham Town this afternoon.

Norris sent the U’s on their way to victory, and so revenge for the Carabao Cup exit (on penalties) at Whaddon Road less then three weeks ago, by slotting home a 12th minute penalty.

Harry Pell, playing against his old club, was brought down in the box by William Boyle and ex-Swindon striker Norris made no mistake from the spot.

Norris had scored in the 2-2 draw at Cheltenham in the Cup tie, and he made it two for the afternoon and three in total (from the two games) with a superb free-kick in the 26th minute.

Sammie Szmodics, the U’s leading scorer last season, was fouled just outside the box by Boyle and deadly Norris crashed home a 25-yard free-kick to double the lead.

Cheltenham halved the deficit in the 56th minute, through a fine strike by Kevin Dawson, whose low right-footed shot beat keeper Dillon Barnes following Sam Jones’ lay-off.

But the U’s not only held on to earn three points, but also bagged a late goal via Pell, to bounce back from the previous weekend’s first defeat of the season, 2-1 at the hands of Northampton Town.

Pell converted an 88th minute penalty, after Szmodics had been fouled by Ryan Broom.

It was a fine performance from the U’s, who achieved the win without the services of the injured duo of Brennan Dickenson and Tom Lapslie.

COLCHESTER: Barnes, Eastman, Prosser Kent, Jackson, Pell, Comley (sub Wright, 86), Vincent-Young, Szmodics, Norris (sub Mandron, 66), Nouble. Unused subs: Ross, Rooney, A Barnes, Collins, Senior.

Attendance: 2,789