Colchester United vs Preston North End. Sky Bet League One.
Weston Homes Community StadiumAttendance3,333.
Saturday 3 March 2012 18:36, UK
Steven Gillespie fired a brace to help Colchester complete a double over Preston this season with a 3-0 home victory.
Gillespie struck in both halves to see off the Lilywhites, with substitute Andy Bond wrapping up the U's win late on. Preston's Chris Robertson had an effort ruled out for offside and George Miller's blockbusting 25-yard effort crashed against the underside of the crossbar soon after. But Colchester took the lead after 18 minutes through Gillespie, who steered in from close range after Anthony Wordsworth had headed Martin Rowlands' corner back across goal. U's defender Tom Eastman had an effort disallowed and Robertson cleared Ian Henderson's goalbound shot off the line, but Colchester doubled their lead seven minutes after half-time through Gillespie, who converted from the spot after Paul Coutts had handled Brian Wilson's cross. Colchester goalkeeper Ben Williams foiled Jamie Proctor and Graham Cummins late on before Bond converted from Henderson's pass in stoppage-time, to wrap up the U's win.
