Match ends, Colchester United 0, Tranmere Rovers 2.
ColchesterColchester United0TranmereTranmere Rovers2
Tranmere secured a sixth successive victory with an impressive triumph at fellow League Two play-off hopefuls Colchester.
Goals from James Norwood and David Perkins means Rovers are just five points behind third-placed MK Dons, and with a game in hand to inspire hopes of claiming an automatic promotion spot.
Sammie Szmodics initially went close for Colchester early on, while at the other end Norwood was within inches of converting an Ollie Banks cross.
Norwood grabbed his 28th goal of the season in the 23rd minute, confidently lifting the ball past U's keeper Dillon Barnes from a fine defence-splitting pass from Perkins.
Colchester came close to an equaliser just before the break, with Ryan Jackson's long-range effort flying just over, while Abo Eisa saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Scott Davies.
Tranmere, though, doubled their lead just 43 seconds after the restart with Perkins firing in from close range after Barnes had clawed out Connor Jennings' effort following Jake Caprice's break down the right.
After a deflected shot from Caprice sailed inches wide just after the hour, Colchester came agonisingly close midway through the second half when Eisa's free-kick was pushed onto the inside of a post by Davies.
But it was not to be for Colchester who are four points adrift of the play-off places.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Colchester
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Barnes
- 2Jackson
- 5Prosser
- 6KentBooked at 76mins
- 22Vincent-Young
- 4LapslieSubstituted forNorrisat 66'minutes
- 24Stevenson
- 7Senior
- 10Szmodics
- 39Eisa
- 19MandronSubstituted forDickensonat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 9Norris
- 11Dickenson
- 16Wright
- 27Chilvers
- 29Ross
- 35Kensdale
- 47Miller
Tranmere
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Davies
- 14Caprice
- 16EllisBooked at 25mins
- 6Monthe
- 3Ridehalgh
- 11JenningsBooked at 53mins
- 28BanksSubstituted forHarrisat 71'minutes
- 17PerkinsBooked at 84mins
- 12McCullough
- 27PringleSubstituted forMorrisat 62'minutes
- 10Norwood
Substitutes
- 4Nelson
- 8Harris
- 9Mullin
- 19Morris
- 22Gilmour
- 25Pilling
- 29Dagnall
- Referee:
- Ross Joyce
- Attendance:
- 3,800
Match Stats
Home TeamColchesterAway TeamTranmere
- Possession
- Home44%
- Away56%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away5
- Corners
- Home3
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away19
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Colchester United 0, Tranmere Rovers 2.
Post update
Foul by Brennan Dickenson (Colchester United).
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Jake Caprice (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Ryan Jackson (Colchester United).
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James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Kane Vincent-Young (Colchester United).
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Jay Harris (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Brennan Dickenson (Colchester United).
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James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Abobaker Eisa (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Luke McCullough (Tranmere Rovers).
Booking
David Perkins (Tranmere Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Abobaker Eisa (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by David Perkins (Tranmere Rovers).
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Attempt saved. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Foul by Kane Vincent-Young (Colchester United).
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James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Brennan Dickenson replaces Mikael Mandron.
