Colchester United beaten by Stockport County in League Two

Cameron McGeehan saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe midway through the second half, as the U's were beaten at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Paddy Madden's goal on the hour proved the winner on the night, after McGeehan had cancelled out Nick Powell's opener, which came courtesy of an error by U's goalkeeper Owen Goodman, in the first half.

Defeats for Grimsby Town and Forest Green Rovers tonight mean Colchester remain a point adrift of safety but now with five games remaining.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made two changes to his starting line-up.

Fiacre Kelleher was handed his first start since mid-December, while Noah Chilvers was also recalled, with Tom Dallison and Alistair Smith dropping to the bench.

Stockport started in confident mood and almost took a third-minute lead when Tanto Olaofe latched onto Neill Byrne’s long pass before shooting into the side netting.

And Colchester goalkeeper Owen Goodman then made a fine point blank save to deny Paddy Madden, after a mistake by Harry Anderson in the area.

Colchester started to slowly warm to the task after that and Stockport goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe punched Arthur Read's inswinging corner away from underneath his own crossbar.

And Hinchliffe was called into action again soon after when he saved at his near post, after John Akinde had got the better of Ethan Bristow before firing in a low shot from a tight angle.

But Colchester fell behind in the 31st minute, in bizarre circumstances.

Nick Powell picked up Antoni Sarcervic’s corner and after trying his luck from nearly 25 yards, Goodman inexplicably allowed the ball to squirm under his body and into the net.

It was a blow for Colchester but they were level again in the first minute of first-half stoppage time when Cameron McGeehan side-footed home Arthur Read’s corner on the line to equalise with his ninth goal of the season.

It meant the U's went in level at the break and Stockport had an effort disallowed in the opening minutes of the second half when Fraser Horsfall's header was chalked off for offside.

And Stockport restored their lead on the hour when Madden tapped in from two yards, after Connor Evans had cut Bristow's deep cross back into his path.

Colchester had a golden opportunity to equalise six minutes later when Ethan Pye was adjudged to have fouled Tom Hopper in the area.

But McGeehan's spot-kick was saved by Hinchliffe and the chance went begging.

Colchester kept battling but could not muster another equaliser, as Stockport claimed victory to move to the verge of promotion.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Goodman, Mingi, Hall, Kelleher (sub Dallison, 68), Anderson (sub Fevrier, 40), Iandolo, Chilvers, Read, McGeehan (sub Smith, 75), Hopper (sub Tovide, 68), Akinde.

Subs (not used): Richardson, Ihionvien, Hornby.

Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Knoyle, Byrne, Horsfall, Pye, Bristow (sub Hippolyte, 75), Evans (sub Barry, 64), Powell, Sarcervic (sub Camps, 64), Madden (sub Wootton, 64), Olaofe (sub Bailey, 87).

Subs (not used): Smith, Richards.

Goals: Colchester: McGeehan (45). Stockport: Powell (31), Madden (61).

Bookings: Colchester: Kelleher (foul, 10), Mingi (foul, 50), McGeehan (foul, 71). Stockport: Horsfall (foul, 17), Knoyle (foul, 72), Powell (foul, 82).

Referee: Ben Atkinson.

Attendance: 4,118 (736 Stockport fans).