Colchester United claim win over Salford City in League Two

Joe Taylor's strike just before half-time and substitute Chay Cooper's 89th-minute strike put the U's in control, before Conor McAleny's excellent stoppage-time strike made for a nervy final few minutes for the hosts.

It was a great way for Colchester to finish their home campaign in 2023 and a much-needed victory for Matty Etherington, one that helped the U's draw level on points with their opponents in the League Two table.

It was the U's first league win since November 7.

Colchester boss Matty Etherington made two changes to his starting line-up for the game against Salford, in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Skipper Connor Hall returned after an eight-game absence in central defence while Ellis Iandolo started for the first time since the opening league game of the season.

Fiacre Kelleher dropped out due to injury, while Will Greenidge was among the substitutes.

Etherington had called on his side to make a quick start and the U’s were almost ahead in the third minute.

Cameron McGeehan's effort was saved at his near post by Salford goalkeeper Alex Cairns, before the U's midfielder drove the rebound across the face of the visitors’ box and the chance went begging.

Salford began to warm to the task though and Ryan Watson's first-time effort sailed straight into the arms of Colchester goalkeeper Owen Goodman after the visitors had played a short corner well.

Both sides continued to look for openings and Cairns was forced into another save in the 25th minute when he saved Arthur Read’s strike at his near post while at the other end, Goodman did well to deny Conor McAleny after he had exchanged passes with Kelly N'Mai and raced through on goal.

Iandolo's shot from two yards was then deflected over the bar after Cairns had failed to hold Arthur Read's corner before Colchester took a 42nd minute lead.

Taylor prodded the U’s ahead with a scuffed shot from close range, after McGeehan had helped on Mandela Egbo’s low delivery into his path.

It gave Colchester a vital advantage at the break and they almost doubled their lead on the hour when Cairns made a fine save from close range to deny McGeehan, after Jayden Fevrier had run at the Salford defence.

Cairns then tipped Fevrier's curled effort past the post for a corner as the U's pushed for a second goal but Salford went close midway through the second half when substitute Matty Lund's curled effort from the edge of the area flew inches over the bar and landed on the roof of the net.

Salford kept pushing for an equaliser and substitute Matty Smith sent a close-range header over from Curtis Tilt's cross as the clock ticked down.

But Colchester doubled the U's lead in the 89th minute when Cooper collected fellow substitute John Akinde's pass and planted a shot past Cairns, after Salford had given away possession just inside their own half.

McAleny gave Salford brief hope with a fine strike from the edge of the area and Goodman made a crucial stop from substitute Matthew Smith after that but the U's held out for a vital win.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Egbo, Hall (sub Dallison, 58), Mitchell, Iandolo (sub Kazeem, 58), McGeehan, Read, Chilvers, Jay (sub Cooper, 71), Fevrier (sub Greenidge, 90), Taylor (sub Akinde, 71).

Substitutes (not used): Hopper, Hornby.

Salford City: Cairns, Ingram, John, Mariappa, Watt, Watson, McLennan, Tilt, McAleny, N'Mai (sub Smith, 62), Humbles (sub Lund, 62).

Subs (not used): Berkoe, Da Costa, Hamman, Luamba, Wright.

Goals: Colchester: Taylor (42), Cooper (89). Salford: McAleny (90).

U's man of the match: Mandela Egbo.

Bookings: Colchester: Read (foul, 17), Hall (foul, 30), Taylor (foul, 31), Mitchell (foul, 74), Akinde (foul, 90). Salford: Ingram (foul, 38).

Referee: Will Finnie.

Attendance: 3,560 (114 Salford fans).