COLCHESTER United ended up comfortable victors against Bury Town after the home side competed well for much of the game.

Captained by former Bury player Ben Coker, the visitors started well and were generally on top without creating any clear-cut chances.

Bury then settled and Sam Reed looked to have the goal at his mercy but delayed too long and the threat was cleared.

At the other end Kayode Odejaya had a close-range effort blocked by Jack Cawley.

Bury were still having an equal share of the play, but Colchester were looking the more likely to break the deadlock with Karl Duguid and Anthony Wordsworth both missing good opportunities.

With a goalless first half seeming certain, Colchester took the lead with a goal out of nothing – a stunning strike by Brian Wilson from just outside the box that gave keeper Marcus Garnham no chance.

Both sides made plenty of changes at the break, but it was Colchester who started the brighter with Ian Henderson going close with a lob that just cleared the bar.

After a spell of pressure, the U’s doubled their lead on 51 minutes when Odejaya’s header came back off the bar and John Joe O’Toole volleyed home the rebound. O’Toole then had a 25-yard drive tipped over by Garnham.

Colchester were now in complete control and made the game safe after 65 minutes with a fine strike by Steve Gillespie from the edge of the box.

Further substitutions made little difference to the pattern of play, with Colchester well in control and it was generally one way traffic towards the home goal.

Deputy keeper Richard Robbins was kept busy and made one fine save from Craig Arnott as Colchester continued to push forward in the closing stages.