A LATE brace from Theo Robinson helped Colchester United topple League Two leaders Swindon Town at the JobServe Community Stadium last night.

Robinson scored twice in four minutes to secure victory for the U’s after former Swindon striker Luke Norris had cancelled out Diallang Jaiyesimi’s opener, scored just after half-time.

It was a splendid win for Colchester, who have now gone 16 games unbeaten in the league.

But the hosts were indebted to goalkeeper Dean Gerken, who pulled off a string of fine saves to help the U’s go on and seal their excellent win.

Colchester made one change to their starting line-up for their game against Swindon.

Cohen Bramall returned at left-back for his appearance since December 29 after recovering from an ankle injury in place of Ryan Clampin, who dropped to the bench.

Frank Nouble was among the substitutes after missing the goal-less draw at Exeter City due to a back injury.

It was a quiet opening to the contest, with both sides starting tentatively in first few minutes.

Swindon began to enjoy their fair share of possession in the early stages but it was Colchester who came closest to scoring in the opening minutes.

Theo Robinson's first-time effort from just outside the area flew just over the bar after Luke Gambin had done well to head into his path.

Gambin then saw a fierce effort from the edge of the area deflect over the bar for a corner but Swindon then reminded the hosts how much of a threat they pose, midway through the first half.

Michael Doughty could only slide a tame shot straight at Gerken with only the U's keeper to beat after being slid through on goal by Diallang Jaiyesimi’s clever pass.

And on the half hour, Hallam Hope's fierce shot for the visitors was parried away well by Gerken after Ryan Jackson's poor clearance had allowed the Swindon man a sniff of goal.

And Gerken was called into action again four minutes before the break when he made a brilliant save to push Woolery’s shot away for a corner, after Paul Caddis's pass had broken the U’s offside trap.

The sides went in level at the break but Colchester conceded within four minutes of the restart.

Swindon went ahead when Diallang Jaiyesimi controlled and finished from close range from Doughty’s short pass, seconds after Ryan Jackson had made a fine tackle to deny Hope in the area.

And the U’s almost fell further behind a few minutes later when Doughty's fine run into the area resulted in him forcing Gerken to make a fine save with his legs.

Colchester sent on Frank Nouble for Kwame Poku just before the hour mark in a bid to get back into the game.

But Gerken needed to pull off a brilliant one-handed save soon after to claw away Hope's close-range header, following Jaiyesimi's deep cross.

Norris was sent into the fray against his old club for Gambin, as Colchester switched to two up front in a bid to muster an equaliser.

It helped the U’s restore parity in terms of possession at least and Harry Pell was unlucky to see his flicked effort land on the roof of the net, from a tight angle.

And Colchester got back on level terms in the 74th minute through Norris, who stooped to nod home his ninth goal of the season from close range after Tom Eastman had headed Bramall’s deep free-kick into his path.

The U’s almost went ahead three minutes later when substitute Courtney Senior's fierce low drive sailed just past the far post after Norris had picked him out in the area.

It was an open finish to the match and Colchester went ahead in the 85th minute through Robinson, who stabbed home from close range after Pell had helped on Bramall’s corner.

And Robinson scored again in the 89th minute when he slotted home from close range after Swindon keeper Steve Benda had palmed Senior’s cross straight to Norris, who picked out his team-mate.

It rounded off a fine win for the U’s, who confirmed their automatic promotion credentials with this excellent victory.

MATCH STATS:

Colchester United goals: Norris (74), Robinson (85, 89).

Swindon Town goals: Jaiyesimi (48).

Colchester United bookings: Comley (foul, 35).

Swindon Town bookings: Edmonds-Green (foul, 70), Hunt (foul, 73), Baudry (foul, 88).

Colchester United sending off: None.

Swindon Town sending off: None.

Colchester United: Gerken, Jackson, Eastman, Prosser, Bramall, Pell, Comley, Poku (sub Nouble, 59), Gambin (sub Norris, 63), Harriott (sub Senior, 67), Robinson.

Substitutes (not used): Sowunmi, Clampin, Lapslie, Stevenson, Ross.

U’s man of the match: Dean Gerken.

Swindon Town: Benda, Baudry, Lyden, Hunt, Jaiyesimi, Caddis, Grant, Edmonds-Green, Woolery, Doughty, Hope.

Subs (not used): Broadbent, Rose, Isgrove, Twine, Reid, Curran, McCormick.

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey).

Attendance: 3,258 (338 Swindon fans).

NEXT UP: Cambridge United v Colchester United, League Two, Saturday, 3pm.