Colchester took local bragging rights after a 1-0 win over neighbours Ipswich.
Colchester took local bragging rights after a 1-0 win over neighbours Ipswich at Layer Road.
Karl Duguid's early goal proved to be enough to give Geraint Williams' men all three points and deny Ipswich the chance to go second in the table.
Colchester broke the deadlock after just nine minutes with Duguid netting his first league goal in over three years as he reacted quickest to score from close-range after Jamie Cureton saw his fierce shot palmed out by Ipswich goalkeeper Lewis Price.
Colchester refused to sit on their lead and Cureton went close to doubling the lead on 25 minutes with a shot from the edge of the area which curled just wide of the target.
Ipswich came close to equalising five minutes before the break when Dan Harding flicked Darren Currie's cross towards the far post and Alan Lee, but the big striker slid his shot wide.
Jim Magilton's side thought they had drawn level four minutes after half time when Jon Macken bundled the ball home from close-range, but the former Manchester City man was somewhat harshly adjudged to have fouled Aidan Davison in firing the ball home and the goal was disallowed.
Seconds later Chris Iwelumo almost scored a second goal for Colchester, but Price produced a fine save to keep out the big striker.
Richard Garcia wasted a good opening on 67 minutes when he headed Kevin Watson's free kick straight at Price.
Davison denied Ipswich an equaliser on 72 minutes when he ran quickly off his line to smother substitute Billy Clark's shot.
Ipswich threw everything into attack in the closing stages, but Colchester held on for a memorable win.
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