Colchester registered their first victory of 2018 by beating play-off rivals Newport County 2-0 at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
Second-half goals from debutant Ben Stevenson and Tom Eastman ended the hosts'six-game winless run.
Colchester had the better chances in the first half, with Sean Murray's rasping 25-yard drive flying over early on and Ryan Jackson's rasping cross-shot deflected wide of the far post just before the break.
Newport goalkeeper Joe Day saved Kane Vincent-Young's low shot early in the second half.
But Colchester finally broke the deadlock just before the hour when debutant Stevenson, on as a second-half substitute for the injured Murray, tapped in from close range after being set up by Courtney Senior.
Mikael Mandron blasted a good chance over with 20 minutes to go after more good work by Senior and Kurtis Guthrie also squandered a good opportunity for the hosts.
Colchester wrapped up victory with 10 minutes remaining when Eastman squeezed a shot home at the far post, after Newport failed to properly clear Brandon Comley's corner.