Match ends, Colchester United 2, Yeovil Town 0.
Yeovil are four points adrift at the bottom of League One after second-bottom Colchester enjoyed a comfortable victory over their relegation rivals.
Colchester's Sam Walker denied Gozie Ugwu and James Hayter before the break.
The hosts took the lead shortly after half-time when Norwich loanee Jacob Murphy was fouled by Nathan Smith and David Fox then scored from the spot.
Murphy himself then doubled the lead four minutes later with a low finish after racing onto George Moncur's ball.
The result leaves Yeovil with just one win from their last nine games, while Colchester ended a run of four straight defeats.
Colchester United manager Tony Humes told BBC Essex:
"It was a tough game from two nervous teams. It was a difficult first 45 minutes, we didn't really get going, but we worked hard as a team to make sure we didn't give anything away.
"We got the players second half to be a bit more urgent on the ball, try to play forward a bit quicker. We did OK.
"It was important, a massive win. It gives a huge lift, a huge confidence to the players.
"We've got to roll on and get on with the next one on Saturday."
Yeovil Town manager Terry Skiverton told BBC Somerset:
"For us, it's probably the end of what we've been trying to do.
"Now it's about pride and perseverance. I told the players they're now fighting for their futures.
"It wasn't just on tonight or Saturday - it's been the course of the whole season.
"Everyone who has been at the club over the past season has to take responsibility."
Line-ups
Colchester
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Walker
- 41Hewitt
- 6Khumalo
- 18Eastman
- 15Briggs
- 24Moncur
- 38Fox
- 8Gilbey
- 25Murphy
- 19HealeySubstituted forPorterat 75'minutes
- 37Sembie-FerrisSubstituted forMasseyat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Wynter
- 12Lewington
- 16Lawrence
- 21Massey
- 23Vincent-Young
- 27Bonne
- 42Porter
Yeovil
Formation 4-4-2
- 21Loach
- 32Shephard
- 26Arthurworrey
- 27Webster
- 3Smith
- 17GrantSubstituted forMorganat 71'minutes
- 4EdwardsBooked at 82minsSubstituted forEastmondat 83'minutes
- 11Foley
- 35KingsleySubstituted forLeitch-Smithat 52'minutes
- 9Hayter
- 25Ugwu
Substitutes
- 10Leitch-Smith
- 12Krysiak
- 13Moore
- 14Hoskins
- 15Ofori-Twumasi
- 24Eastmond
- 31Morgan
- Referee:
- Iain Williamson
- Attendance:
- 2,336
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away2
- Corners
- Home3
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Colchester United 2, Yeovil Town 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Adam Morgan (Yeovil Town) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Substitution
Substitution, Yeovil Town. Craig Eastmond replaces Joe Edwards because of an injury.
Booking
Joe Edwards (Yeovil Town) is shown the yellow card.
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Alex Gilbey (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Joe Edwards (Yeovil Town).
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Alex Gilbey (Colchester United) hits the left post with a right footed shot from outside the box.
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George Moncur (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Joe Edwards (Yeovil Town).
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Chris Porter replaces Rhys Healey because of an injury.
Substitution
Substitution, Yeovil Town. Adam Morgan replaces Joel Grant.
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Gavin Massey replaces Dion Sembie-Ferris.
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Rhys Healey (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Byron Webster (Yeovil Town).
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George Moncur (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Joe Edwards (Yeovil Town).
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Hand ball by James Hayter (Yeovil Town).
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Foul by Matthew Briggs (Colchester United).
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Joe Edwards (Yeovil Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.