A missed penalty cost Southend dear but Colchester secured three valuable points against Notts County at the weekend with a 2-0 win.
On-loan York player Barry Conlon wrapped up the points for Second Division Colchester United in the 78th minute, adding to Chris Keeble's goal just before half-time.
The U's survived some scares, though, with a shot from Notts County's Andy McDermott rebounding off the post and a County equaliser was also ruled out after a foul on Scott Fitzgerald.
In Division Three Southend's match was a tale of two penalties.
Martin Carruther's missed his. Hartlepool's Tommy Miller didn't make the same mistake and his 28th minute spot kick gave The Pool all three points with a 1-0 victory.
Ipswich Town saw their unbeaten record finished by Derby 1-0 with a Rory Delap goal settling the match in the 28th minute.
The Portman Road side could not impress their home fans and slipped to fifth in the Premiership.
For full match reports and pictures see tonight's Evening Echo and Evening Gazette
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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