Chris Porter's brace helped Colchester United beat Luton Town 2-1 and boost their hopes of making the League Two play-offs.

Porter scored twice in the first half to give the U's a two-goal lead at the break at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, following a first half in which they had been dominant.

And although Luton pulled a goal back through Isaac Vassell deep into stoppage time, the U's were able to see out a crucial victory which boosts their chances of a top-seven finish.

Colchester head coach John McGreal made two changes to his starting line-up against Luton Town.

Tom Eastman made a surprise return in defence after recovering from an ankle injury that had kept him sidelined since early February.

Richard Brindley also returned to the side, with Matt Briggs and Sammie Szmodics the men to miss out.

Briggs was on the bench along with Tommy O’Sullivan who returned from injury.

But Szmodics, Doug Loft, Luke Prosser, Frankie Kent, Lloyd Doyley, Denny Johnstone, Kurtis Guthrie and Craig Slater missed out through injury.

Colchester were in complete command in the first half and made a dream start when they took the lead in the fourth minute.

After being fed by Tom Lapslie, Brennan Dickenson delivered a superb cross from the touchline that Porter met with a fine header that looped into the net.

Drey Wright's 25-yard effort was pushed away by Matt Macey for a corner soon after and the Hatters shot-stopper acrobatically palmed Dickenson’s header over for a corner after Rekeil Pyke had nodded on Sean Murray’s corner, as the U’s pushed for a second.

The unmarked Eastman headed over Brindley’s cross from six yards and Luton’s defending was poor in the first half, with Colchester were afforded plenty of space in the area to exploit.

Colchester eventually doubled their lead just after the half hour mark through Porter, who prodded in Brindley’s cross from four yards despite Macey’s best efforts to keep it out.

The U’s dominance prompted Luton manager Nathan Jones to make a tactical change soon after, bringing on James Justin for Jake Gray.

But it was Colchester who almost scored before the end of the half when Porter, chasing a hat-trick, headed over Murray’s free-kick from close range.

Luton improved after the break and almost pulled a goal back midway through the second half when Justin’s curling effort was headed off the line by George Elokobi, seconds after Sam Walker had palmed away Alan Sheehan’s shot.

But at the other end, Colchester felt they should have had a penalty seconds later after Porter appeared to be pulled back by Luton centre-back Scott Cuthbert in the area.

Colchester were forced to defend more after that and Vassell netted from close range in the third minute of time added on to give the visitors brief hope but the hosts held out for a vital win.