Colchester United claimed a second successive league victory

Courtney Senior scored the U's winner just before half-time, lifting them to fifth in League Two.

Here are five things we noticed from the game, as John McGreal's side claimed an away victory.

Northern promise

THE last time Colchester United won north of the Watford Gap, they were managed by Kevin Keen and the likes of Nicky Shorey and Owen Garvan were in their starting line-up.

It seems pretty remarkable that the U’s have not been able to taste victory in the top half of the country since winning at Blackpool back in April, 2016 but 54 away league games later, that unwanted statistic was well and truly put to bed, at Morecambe.

As a 600-mile round trip, Colchester could hardly have been at a location any further north of the JobServe Community Stadium, in ending their hoodoo and collecting the three points.

But their long journey back down the motorway after claiming victory at the Globe Arena will probably have felt that little bit shorter, thanks to a rare win in the north.

Rolling their sleeves up

COLCHESTER United produced the kind of display at Morecambe that any side chasing promotion needs to produce from time to time, especially away from home.

The U’s struck at the right time at Morecambe just before half-time, having been the more dominant side in the first half at the Globe Arena.

And while they spent much of the second half defending their own territory and looking to catch their hosts on the counter-attack, they put their bodies on the line and produced a committed performance which they might well look back on as a big win, come the end of the season.

John McGreal’s side have shown this season that they are capable of producing entertaining, attacking football.

But they have also demonstrated that when it is necessary, they can also roll their sleeves up and do the dirty work needed to grind a result out and secure a first clean sheet in six league matches.

Senior moment

COURTNEY Senior has been threatening to produce the kind of goal he scored at Morecambe for some time – and it well and truly came off for him at the Globe Arena.

The skilful U’s attacker probably surprised himself by how good the goal was when he watched the goal back after the game and the quality of his strike was worthy of winning any game.

He proved to be a match-winner for Colchester and in the absence of the injured Sammie Szmodics, stepped up to the plate when needed.

Senior’s quality is unquestionable; he is in good form at the moment and the key for him now is to ensure that it continues.

Bentley's bother

JIM Bentley admitted he expected Colchester United to set up differently against his side.

“We had worked them on playing with a back four but it was a back three,” said the Morecambe boss, after seeing his side beaten 1-0 at the Globe Arena.

Bentley’s post-match admission served as further confirmation of how significant Colchester’s flexibility is proving, this season.

Their players reverted to a 3-5-2 system with ease and they have shown that they can adapt to different tactics and formations both before and during games.

That is credit to not only boss John McGreal but also his players, who have shown footballing intelligence in the manner in which they can embrace instructions this season.

Terrific Tom

COLCHESTER United stalwart Tom Eastman clocked up his 300th career appearance at Morecambe.

His outstanding display at the Globe Arena epitomised his performances so far; the former Ipswich Town youngster did not put a foot wrong throughout the 90 minutes.

Even in the final seconds of the game, when the hosts were throwing men forward and desperately seeking an equaliser, Eastman made a vital defensive block to help ensure his side of the points.

Colchester’s longest-serving current player celebrates his 27th birthday today – it is another reason for him to raise a celebratory toast, following his fantastic individual performance at the Globe Arena.