Colchester United 1 Bristol Rovers 0

Stuart Watson

Colchester United 1 Bristol Rovers 0

KEVIN Lisbie's tenth goal of the season sealed a hugely deserved victory over Bristol Rovers.

Back up front following his long stint on the wing, Lisbie span in the box before rifling in what proved to be the winner in the 31st minute.

With Lisbie preferred to Kayode Odejayi up front, Colchester played by far their best football of the Aidy Boothroyd regime.

The home side's display probably warranted a second goal, but in the end they had to make do with one as the beaten Rovers dropped out of the play-off places.

Boothroyd made just one change to the side which lost 1-0 at Brentford on Tuesday night. Kayode Odejayi was dropped to the bench, Phil Ifil came in at right-midfield, allowing Kevin Lisbie to move back up front.

Bristol Rovers made just one change to their side too, U's loanee Pat Baldwin being unavailable for this game and replaced by Steve Elliott.

Colchester United were by far the better side in the first half and - playing the most entertaining football of the Boothroyd regime - they passed the ball around well.

Magnus Okuonghae saw a towering far post header well saved at the far post, Anthony Wordsworth should have done better with a chance and a Marc Tierney cross almost dropped in the top corner before the U's deservedly broke the deadlock in the 31st minute.

Following good hold-up play from Ifil down the right, the ball eventually fell to Lisbie in the box and - with his back to goal - he smartly swivelled before rifling a snap shot into the bottom left corner.

It was the on loan Ipswich player's 10th goal of the season and was followed with a call of 'sign him up' from the North Stand.

Wordsworth saw a one-on-one smothered and David Fox fired narrowly wide before the break as the U's were unfortunate to extend their lead.

Fox - having possibly aggravated his rib injury - was withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Kemi Izzet.

Colchester continued to look the better side after the break, even if they didn't create the same amount of chances as the first period.

Rovers used all three of their subs by the 75th minute, but Ifil's mazy run and shot was one of a few chances in the first half hour after the break.

As the game wore on, the dominant U's looked far more likely to add a second rather than concede an equaliser.

Lisbie was denied following a good dribble along the by-line, while Tierney was denied when through one-on-one following a lung bursting run forward in stoppage time.