Colchester United put Exeter City to the sword with their biggest win of the season this afternoon.

The U's thrashed nine-man Grecians 5-1, with Steven Gillespie scoring twice and Ashley Vincent, Andrew Bond and David Mooney also getting on the scoresheet.

Colchester had fallen behind midway through the first half when Daniel Nardiello converted at the far post, after John O'Flynn had flicked on Steve Tully's free-kick.

But Colchester equalised just after the half hour through Gillespie, who diverted Matt Heath's header into the net.

Tully was then sent for fouling Vincent just outside the area and denying a goalscoring opportunity.

And although U's goalkeeper Ben Williams denied O'Flynn, Scott Golbourne was then sent off for bringing down Vincent in the area and Mooney converted the resultant penalty.

The impressive Vincent finished smartly from substitute Lloyd James' pass to make it 3-1 and Gillespie scored his second of the game barely a minute later, before Bond's smart finish put the icing on the cake for free-scoring Colchester.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester's win over Exeter, see Monday's Gazette.