Colchester United made it five home wins on the bounce this afternoon following a 2-1 win over fellow play-off hopefuls Barnet.

The U's overcame early adversity following injuries to defensive duo Frankie Kent and Lloyd Doyley to claim victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, thanks to first-half goals from Kurtis Guthrie and Brennan Dickenson.

John Akinde pulled a goal back for Barnet late on but the U's held on for victory.

Colchester head coach John McGreal made four changes to his starting line-up for their game against Barnet.

Doyley made only his second appearance in the U’s starting line-up while Kane Vincent-Young was handed his first U’s start for two and a half months.

Denny Johnstone made his first U’s start in 2017 and Brennan Dickenson also returned to the side, after missing the Blackpool draw due to a groin injury.

Tom Eastman was ruled out with an ankle injury and Richard Brindley and Chris Porter were also sidelined due to injury, while Matt Briggs dropped to the bench after making his first start of the campaign at Blackpool.

Sean Murray missed out after starting his three-match suspension.

Colchester suffered another injury blow in the 11th minute when Kent was stretchered off after appearing to land awkwardly following a corner and was replaced by Alex Wynter.

And the U’s were further disrupted at the back five minutes later when Doyley forced off and replaced by Briggs, with the hosts switching to 4-1-4-1 formation as a result.

But in the face of adversity, Colchester showed great character and they were ahead in the 18th minute.

After being picked out by Denny Johnstone, leading goalscorer Guthrie let fly with a sweet low 25-yard drive that flew into the net for his 11th goal of the season.

The U’s grew in confidence after that and Craig Slater forced a near-post save from Barnet goalkeeper Josh Vickers after being picked out in the area by George Elokobi, while Wynter's drive from the edge of the area bounced narrowly wide after the visitors had failed to properly clear from a corner.

At the other end, Colchester keeper Sam Walker made an excellent save at point-blank range to deny Curtis Weston from John Akinde's low cross after a swift break by the visitors.

But Colchester doubled their lead in the 42nd minute when Slater played the ball into the area and Dickenson controlled before squeezing a shot in off Clough from close range.

Dickenson and Tom Lapslie both came close to extending Colchester’s lead before half-time, as the hosts went in at the break in full control.

A midfield battle ensued in the opening stage of the second half, although the introduction of former Colchester loanee Jamal Campbell-Ryce made a difference for Barnet on the right wing after coming on as a half-time substitute for Luke Coulson.

Akinde curled a shot well wide from the edge of the area for the Bees but while Colchester rarely threatened keeper Vickers in the second half, the visitors hardly looked like coming back into the game.

The impressive Slater sent a half volley over from the edge of the area with 13 minutes remaining after Guthrie had chested down Vincent-Young's cross to set him up.

Barnet should have pulled a goal back with seven minutes remaining when Mauro Vilhete’s weak close-range effort was easily saved by Walker when he should have scored.

Akinde headed home Vilhete's cross with four minutes remaining to ensure a nervy final few minutes for Colchester but the home side held on for three points.