Match ends, Colchester United 4, Brentford 1.
ColchesterColchester United4BrentfordBrentford1
Colchester beat promoted Brentford to all but seal their League One status.
Colchester's Marcus Bean bundled in Brian Wilson's free-kick before Alex Wynter powered home a fine header.
Freddie Sears scored from the spot to make it 3-0, after Alan McCormack had fouled Sanchez Watt.
Brentford pulled a goal back when Stuart Dallas lashed in from 20 yards but Sears restored Colchester's three-goal cushion after he thumped into an empty net.
Colchester United manager Joe Dunne told BBC Essex:
"At times I thought we were magnificent today. Tactically we were great. It would be nice to see some more it, as a manager that's what frustrates you because I know what my team is capable of.
"I think the players deserve a lot of credit today against a top side. They came here and picked their best team."
"That kind of effort and that kind of commitment at this stage of the season was incredible.
"We've got a lot of injuries from it, but somebody once said about leaving everything on the battlefield and we did that today."
Line-ups
Colchester
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 44Walker
- 20WilsonSubstituted forWrightat 45'minutes
- 3Dickson
- 15Bean
- 16Wynter
- 18Eastman
- 7Sanchez Watt
- 22GilbeyBooked at 76minsSubstituted forVoseat 79'minutes
- 17Ibehre
- 11SearsBooked at 62minsSubstituted forEastmondat 70'minutes
- 21Massey
Substitutes
- 1Cousins
- 2Wright
- 6Eastmond
- 9Morrison
- 25Vose
- 30Wright
- 40Szmodics
Brentford
Formation 4-3-3
- 27Button
- 12McCormackSubstituted forO'Connorat 85'minutes
- 28YennarisSubstituted forClarkeat 81'minutes
- 8Douglas
- 26Tarkowski
- 5Craig
- 9Donaldson
- 15Dallas
- 29TrottaSubstituted forAdamsat 59'minutes
- 17SavilleBooked at 70mins
- 18Judge
Substitutes
- 1Lee
- 2O'Connor
- 11Grigg
- 20Diagouraga
- 22Reeves
- 32Adams
- 34Clarke
- Referee:
- Mark Brown
- Attendance:
- 6,400
Match Stats
Home TeamColchesterAway TeamBrentford
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away3
- Corners
- Home3
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Colchester United 4, Brentford 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sanchez Watt (Colchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Gavin Massey (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Tony Craig (Brentford).
Post update
Dominic Vose (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Josh Clarke (Brentford).
Post update
Jabo Ibehre went off injured after Colchester United had used all subs.
Post update
Sanchez Watt (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Clayton Donaldson (Brentford).
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Kevin O'Connor replaces Alan McCormack.
Post update
Marcus Bean (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Charlie Adams (Brentford).
Post update
Jabo Ibehre (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Tony Craig (Brentford).
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Josh Clarke replaces Nico Yennaris.
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Dominic Vose replaces Alex Gilbey.
Post update
Hand ball by Ryan Dickson (Colchester United).
Post update
David Wright (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Tony Craig (Brentford).
