COLCHESTER United rattled up two goals in a minute to end the challenge of 10-man Northampton Town in an enthralling League One duel.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United rattled up two goals in a minute to end the challenge of 10-man Northampton Town in an enthralling League One duel.

The U's were second best early on and they fell behind to Adebayo Akinfenwa's close-range rocket, before the game was turned on its head by Paul Rodgers' dismissal in first-half stoppage time.

Full-back Rodgers, on loan from Arsenal, was flashed two yellows and an ensuing red card in quick succession, for late challenges on star man Mark Yeates and defender Marc Tierney.

The U's took full advantage after the break, scoring twice just before the hour mark through Yeates and Scott Vernon to continue their great run of form - Paul Lambert's men have lost just one of their last 11 league matches.

The equaliser was a clinical strike. Pat Baldwin flicked on Dean Hammond's cross, from a short-corner routine, and Yeates buried a half-volley past keeper Chris Dunn from eight yards out.

A minute later and Vernon netted what proved to be the winner. Kem Izzet's delicate shot beat Dunn, only to cannon back off the bar, but Vernon was in the right place to stoop forwards to nod home the rebound into an unguarded net.