At last - this was the Colchester United that steamrollered teams during the winter.

So close - U's star Greg Halford strikes the woodwork. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK (48889-19)

And what a massive relief for all concerned, because if the U's want promotion they need to be on top form.

Their valuable win over Hartlepool - thanks to a Neil Danns brace - will hopefully kick-start a run that can catapult them up to the Coca-Cola Championship at the end of the season.

This result and performance was a big step in the right direction.

It was looking like another 0-0 draw with neither team having that killer instinct to seal the win.

However, the turning point came on 60 minutes when Darren Williams fouled Billy Clarke and the defender was sent-off.

Eventually, the deadlock was broken and Colchester finally found the space that the extra man helped create.

Danns was the hero of the hour. Having earlier had an effort cleared off the line, his first goal - in the 82nd minute - came after the ball fell to him in the box after a cross from Mark Yeates. His thunderous header beat the despairing dive of the Hartlepool keeper.

Then, in the last few seconds, Danns converted the second after excellent work from Tony Thorpe and full debutant Clarke.

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Published Wednesday, April 12, 2006