Colchester United gave their survival hopes a huge boost this afternoon with a vital 2-1 win at Port Vale.

Second-half goals from George Moncur and Jacob Murphy gave the U’s a huge victory at a rain-sodden Vale Park, despite Louis Dodds’ late consolation for the hosts.

The U's are now four points from safety with seven games remaining, after winning against Vale.

The U’s made three changes to their starting line-up against the Valiants Colchester did a containing job on their hosts in the first half, with the aim of hitting their hosts on the counter attack.

Sam Walker saved Mark Marshall’s header early on while Chris Birchall had the ball in the U’s net, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside by referee Charles Breakspear.

Louis Dodds selfishly dragged a shot straight at Walker from the edge of the area and Bongani Khumalo made a fine block in the six-yard box to deny Ben Williamson after Birchall’s cross had eluded Walker, as the hosts pressed for an opener.

Vale’s wide men Birchall and Marshall delivered plenty of crosses but most of them flew across the box and fortunately for the U’s, went to waste on most occasions.

The hosts almost went ahead just before half-time when left-back Carl Dickinson ran towards the Colchester defence before curling a shot just wide of the upright.

But the U’s almost took the lead themselves just before half-time when Vale keeper Sam Johnson saved from George Moncur and Jacob Murphy fired the rebound into the side netting from a tight angle.

Colchester started the second half well and after Murphy had driven a shot just wide of the upright, they took the lead just before the hour when George Moncur slotted past Johnson after linking up well with Porter in the area following a patient build-up.

Alex Gilbey and Gavin Massey both went close after that and Colchester doubled their lead when Murphy ran towards goal and drilled a low shot into the far bottom corner of the net.

Vale pulled a goal back with seven minutes to go through Dodds, who fired home after Marshall’s corner had not been properly cleared by the U’s defence.

But despite four minutes of stoppage time, Colchester held on to secure a valuable victory.

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