Colchester United boosted their survival hopes with an excellent 2-0 win at Peterborough United at London Road this afternoon.

Second-half strikes from Freddie Sears and Elliott Hewitt gave the U’s a vital victory and boosted their chances of escaping the League One drop-zone.

It was a hugely impressive display from Colchester, who defended superbly and always looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

Colchester keeper Sam Walker made a great save inside the opening four minutes when he pushed Erhun Oztumer’s fierce effort over the bar.

And from the resultant corner, Michael Bostwick’s low drive sailed inches past the post.

The early stages of the match were played out in the U’s half and Walker was forced to make another good diving save in the 13th minute to push away Oztumer’s effort which appeared to be sailing towards the bottom corner.

Newell drove at the Colchester defence before firing in a shot that sailed straight at Walker just before the half hour.

But Colchester improved after the half hour mark and almost went ahead six minutes before half-time when Sanchez Watt, recalled to the starting line-up, saw his cross-shot sail inches past the far post.

Colchester started the second half having to defend their own area, with David Fox making a vital block in his own six-yard box to deny Luke James who looked certain to score.

But the U’s took a vital lead nine minutes after the break.

Leading goalscorer Sears converted first-time from close range following a sweeping move which saw Sean Clohessy latch onto Walker’s intelligent throw and deliver a pinpoint cross.

Posh went in search of an equaliser in the closing stages but Colchester defended well.

And they wrapped up their win with five minutes to go when Hewitt nutmegged a defender before drilling a fine low shot past Alnwick and into the far bottom corner of the net.

For five pages of coverage of the U’s game at Peterborough, see Monday’s Daily Gazette.