Crewe returned to winning ways with goals from Michael O'Connor and Tom Pope as they beat Colchester 2-0.

O'Connor and Pope on target in 2-0 victory

Crewe returned to winning ways with goals from Michael O'Connor and Tom Pope as they beat Colchester 2-0 O'Connor curled home a free-kick to open the scoring before Pope came off the bench to head in Billy Jones' pinpoint cross. United were poor and could have conceded more before record signing Steve Gillespie saw red for a two-footed challenge on Danny Woodards. Crewe got the lead they deserved just after the break when Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken misjudged the flight of O'Connor's free-kick and the ball nestled into the net. Pope replaced the ineffective Anthony Elding midway through the second half and took just three minutes to make an impact, when he planted a fine header past the helpless Gerken. Rookie winger Anthony Wordsworth did threaten to conjure up a goal for the visitors but twice saw shots saved by Steve Collis before Gillespie was sent for an early bath.