Colchester United roared back to winning ways in style with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Cheltenham Town tonight.

Second-half goals from Craig Slater, Brennan Dickenson and Tom Eastman helped the U's claim their first victory in League Two in 11 games, following a fine all-round display at Whaddon Road.

The first half was a hard-fought, often scrappy affair, But Colchester will have been pleased with the solidity of their defence, with Elokobi’s presence giving them a little more presence at the back.

Colchester’s best chance of the first half came five minutes into the game.

Slater’s low shot forced Cheltenham keeper Russell Griffiths into a good low save.

At the other end, former Colchester striker Dan Holman and Danny Wright registered off target efforts and U’s keeper Sam Walker easily saved Daniel O’Shaughnessy’s header from Billy Waters’ long free-kick into the box.

Wright’s header sailed wide on the half hour mark for Cheltenham for whom Holman dragged a low shot wide from 25 yards, as half-time approached.

But although Harry Pell curled a shot over the bar on the stroke of the interval, the U’s went ahead soon after the break.

After Guthrie and Richard Brindley had caused trouble in the area, Slater showed superb footwork in the area to dribble past challenges and drill low past Griffiths at his near post for his second goal of the season.

Colchester had taken the lead at an almost identical time at Yeovil Town last weekend and lost 2-1, so they knew there was a long way to go.

But when Dickenson drilled precisely past Griffiths to double the U’s lead with 25 minutes remaining after playing an excellent one-two with Guthrie, it gave the visitors a two-goal cushion.

And that quickly turned to 3-0 when Tom Eastman headed in Garvan’s corner from two yards, to send the travelling U’s fans into raptures.

Cheltenham substitute Koby Arthur fired over from close range soon after but the hosts’ misery was complete with three minutes remaining when Pell was shown a second yellow card for simulation and was sent off, as the U's claimed a big win.