Chris Porter's second-half winner gave Colchester a well-deserved 1-0 win at relegation rivals Blackpool and secured their third win in four matches.

Porter struck on the hour mark to give the U's a fine victory at Bloomfield Road, as Kevin Keen's side kept a third successive clean sheet.

The result leaves Colchester eight points from safety with five matches of the League One season remaining.

Colchester made a bright start to the game and almost took the lead in the fifth minute when Gavin Massey’s cross narrowly evaded Chris Porter in the area.

Indeed, the U’s played their part in an open contest in the opening stages and looked the more likely side to make the breakthrough.

But arguably the best chance of the first half fell to Blackpool, when former Ipswich Town midfielder David Norris wastefully fired wide after Hayden White had made good progress down the right and picked him out.

Nevertheless, Colchester continued to look the more dangerous of the two sides.

Joe Edwards’ shot was deflected just wide of the post for a corner while Elliot Lee, who was lively throughout the first half, saw his effort deflected just wide of the far post on the half hour.

Porter’s low shot from the edge of the area flashed wide of the post and the U’s striker also went close with an effort at the near post, before the end of the half.

But despite the home fans growing increasingly restless with their side’s flat display as the half wore on, Blackpool almost went in at the break ahead.

After Norris had headed down in the area, Danny Philliskirk fired wide from inside the area.

Just as they had begun the first half, Colchester started the second half brightly and came a lick of paint from taking the lead when Gavin Massey struck a post and Chris Porter also went close.

The U's finally made the breakthrough on the hour mark when Porter lashed home inside the area, after George Moncur had made a nuisance of himself in the box.

Joe Edwards also went close for Colchester soon after and the U's controlled the final half hour and saw the game out, to claim a well deserved win.

For five pages of coverage of the U's game with Blackpool, see Monday's Daily Gazette.