Colchester United 2 Southampton 0IT WAS an unhappy return to Layer Road for former Colchester United boss George Burley, as he watched his Southampton side crash to defeat at the hands of Geraint Williams' in-form troops.

By Carl Marston

Colchester United 2 Southampton 0

IT WAS an unhappy return to Layer Road for former Colchester United boss George Burley, as he watched his Southampton side crash to defeat at the hands of Geraint Williams' in-form troops.

An early goal from Kevin McLeod put the U's in the driving seat, and after soaking up a good deal of late pressure, they made the game safe with Jamie Cureton's injury-time second goal.

Burley had angered the U's faithful by resigning as Colchester boss on Christmas Eve, 1994, to take over the reins at Ipswich, and this was his first return as an opposing manager.

But it was not a dream return for the Scotsman. McLeod headed home Cureton's cross to give the U's a third minute lead, and they could have added to this in a dominant first-half display.

However, Southampton mounted a strong late rally, until Cureton settled the nerves by chasing onto Greg Halford's long ball and burying a shot from 10 yards out. It was his sixth goal of the season.

There was no way back for the Saints, while for the U's this was their fifth straight home win.