A MUCH-IMPROVED performance was not enough to prevent Colchester Gladiators from losing 39-13 at league leaders Bury Saints.

Gladiators performed better than in the home fixture against the table-topping Saints, where an inept performance saw them soundly beaten.

But early mistakes allowed the hosts to open up a big lead and coast to victory, in the British American Football League clash.

Gladiators ran for nearly 200 yards including 140 by newcomer Eddie Collison, who made a stunning 56-yard sprint through the heart of the Bury defence.

Three early turnovers and facing seven drives starting in their own territory made life tough for the Gladiators and the Saints took advantage.

After the Gladiators returned the opening kick off, it was on just their second play from scrimmage that they first turned the ball over, setting the Saints up just 11 yards out.

It took the hosts just two plays to run the ball in for the opening score and a 7-0 lead.

The Gladiators were then forced to punt but had the ball back through a turnover of their own, with Joe Parsons picking off the Bury QB and returning it their own 30.

But the Gladiators could not capitalise and the Saints increased their lead with a three-yard run to make it 13-0.

Another Gladiator fumble gave the Saints the ball on the Colchester 26.

But Nick Anderson's sack and a penalty moved them back and out of field goal range, forcing a punt.

The Saints scored their third, early in the second quarter with a six-yard pass completion but defences then took over.

The Gladiators threw an interception before linebacker Matt Thompson forced a fumble on a sack of the Bury QB, recovered by Andrew Cairns.

Another Colchester interception ended the threat and the Saints scored their fourth of the day with an 18-yard run, to lead 25-0 at half-time.

A stern half-time talk stirred the Gladiators into action in the second half but Bury increased their lead from the first play of the second half.

A Saint running back burst through some attempted tackles and ran 60 yards for a touchdown.

The PAT was good and the Saints had the game won at 32-0.

However, a Chris Jackson interception and return set the Gladiators up for their first score.

Jackson returned the ball to the Saints ten before QB Curtis Bourke's perfect pass found favourite receiver Vic Williams in the end zone, to make it 32-6.

Early in the final period, the Saints extended their lead when they returned another interception 53 yards for a touchdown.

But the Gladiators had some consolation when Collison ripped off his stunning score and Anderson slotted the point.

The Gladiators travel to play Sussex Thunder on July 30, 6pm kick-off.