COLCHESTER United's relegation fears deepened this afternoon after they were beaten 3-0 at promotion-chasing Northampton Town.

Goals from Fraser Horsfall, Sam Hoskins and substitute Benny Ashley-Seal condemned the U's to defeat at a wet and windy Sixfields, as the U's were beaten by a strong Cobblers side.

Colchester made one change to their starting line-up.

Emyr Huws came back into the starting line-up, with Brendan Wiredu dropping to the bench.

Noah Chilvers and Tom Dallison returned from injury to take their place on the bench.

Colchester almost fell behind in the second minute when goalkeeper Sam Hornby made a good low save from close-range to deny Sam Hoskins, after Jack Sowerby had done well to get the better of Alan Judge in the U’s area and picked him out.

The U’s came into the contest more after that and enjoyed their fair share of possession.

But Northampton went ahead in the 16th minute through Fraser Horsfall, who stooped to head home from Mitch Pinnock’s corner from close range.

Colchester continued to have plenty of the ball after that in the first half but rarely looked like scoring.

And Cole Skuse was on hand to clear off the line ten minutes before the break, after Jon Guthrie had headed Pinnock's corner towards goal.

The closest Colchester came to scoring in the first half came eight minutes before the break.

Owura Edwards' hooked effort was brilliantly blocked in the six-yard box, after Huws had done superbly to pick out the loanee with a fine piece of skill.

But the U’s went in trailing at the break and things got even worse for them, four minutes after half-time.

Tyler Magloire and Paul Lewis combined to set up Hoskins, who curled a precise shot into the far corner from the edge of the area after a sweeping attack by the hosts.

Colchester interim boss Brown made changes on the hour, sending on Corie Andrews for Tom Eastman and switching to four at the back.

Hoskins hooked a good chance over for the hosts from close range but Colchester came close to pulling a goal with 18 minutes remaining when Judge's low shot came back off the post, seconds after a defensive intervention just denied Tommy Smith from scoring from close range.

Judge's effort from the edge of the area deflected just wide for a corner soon after.

But Northampton wrapped up their victory in the fourth minute of stoppage-time when Ashley-Seal slotted in from Hoskins' pass, as Colchester were beaten.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Hornby, Eastman (sub Andrews, 60), Chambers, Smith, Tchamadeu, Kenlock, Skuse, Huws (sub Chilvers, 70), Judge, Edwards, Sears (sub Wright, 81).

Subs (not used): Dallison, Coxe, Wiredu, George.

U’s man of the match: Cole Skuse.

Northampton Town: Roberts, McGowan (sub Rose, 79), Sowerby (sub Lubala, 71), Guthrie, Horsfall, Hoskins, Lewis, Pinnock, Koiki, Magloire, Appere (sub Ashley-Seal, 81).

Subs (not used): Harriman, Pollock, Mills, Maxted.

Referee: Ben Toner (Lancashire).

Bookings: Colchester: Judge (foul, 36).

Goals: Northampton: Horsfall (16), Hoskins (49), Ashley-Seal (90+4).

Attendance: 5,309 (413 U’s fans).