Ecstatic Colchester United striker Chris Iwelumo rejoiced in his four-goal salvo against Hull City - but still found time to sympathise with former manager Phil Parkinson.

The powerful U's striker registered his first-ever senior hat-trick to help his Colchester United side thump the Tigers 5-1, in a remarkable night of Coca-Cola Championship football at Layer Road.

But Iwelumo, who was signed by Parkinson during his time as U's manager, still had words of comfort for his former mentor.

Iwelumo said: "I have a lot of respect for Phil Parkinson and I feel a bit for him, but that's football - you have your ups and your downs."

Iwelumo became the first U's player to score four times in a League match since Bobby Svarc netted all the goals in a 4-0 Division Four triumph over Chester in November, 1973.

His prolific display capped a fine individual performance which also saw him create Colchester's other goal for Jamie Cureton.

For more on this story and full coverage of Colchester's victory over Hull City, see tonight's Evening Gazette.