npower League One Bristol Rovers 0 Colchester Utd 1

COLCHESTER United won at Bristol Rovers for the first time in their history tonight to keep alive their hopes of a top six finish.

Kayode Odejayi’s 22nd minute goal was enough to seal the U’s a much-needed away victory – the Essex side having drawn two and lost eight of their previous 10 games on their travels.

It was largely a positive night for John Ward’s men – midfielder John-Joe O’Toole making a 12 minute cameo following over 10 months out with a cruciate knee ligament injury – with the only real disappointment being that they did not kill off the woeful hosts.

Jean-Paul Kalala cleared no fewer than three corners off the line for the Pirates, while Odejayi saw a volley and a one-on-one saved in the second half.

Odejayi’s was gifted his first goal in over three months when keeper Conrad Logan mis-kicked the ball straight into one of his own defenders to allow him a clear run on goal.

It is the first time a U’s striker has scored away from home in the league in just under a year.

– Reaction to follow.

BRISTOL ROVERS: Logan; Senda, Coles (cpt), Ifil, Hughes; Williams, Lines, Kalala, Kuffour; Hoskins (Richards 86), Howe (Davies 68).

Unused Subs: Green, Blizzard, Bolger, Reece, Cooper.

COLCHESTER UTD: Williams; Beevers, Clarke, Heath, Coker; Bond, Izzet (O’Toole 78), James; Henderson (Vincent 90), Wordsworth, Odejayi (Gillespie 73).

Unused Subs: Cousins, Baldwin, Perkins, Mooney.

U’s Man-of-the-Match: James

Attendance: 5,181

Referee: Mr Michael Naylor