Three second half goals from the Blues saw their winning pre-season run continue at Colchester United. After a slow start Town gradually introduced one or two of their more senior players against a spirited home side.

Colchester started brightly but rarely threatened Lewis Price's goal, the Blues' defence looking strong, particularly Diallo and Santos both of whom were dominant in the air.

The nearest the Layer Road side came to a goal was when Scott McGleish hit an 18-yard shot straight at Price from a right wing cross.

Town's inexperienced midfield were finding it hard to get on top but as the half wore on the Blues' passing started to get going.

On 24 Marcus Bent almost put Pablo Couñago away before Darren Bent broke quickly down the right and almost took the ball past keeper Richard MacKinney.

Two minutes later McGleish blazed wildly over from a decent position to the right of goal from probably the home side's best chance.

Tommy Miller hit a freekick into a wall while Drissa Diallo increased his stock amongst the Town support with a fine challenge on the pacy Wayne Andrews after a slip by Santos.

Just before the break Bent, Bent and Couñago interchanged passes well but Couñago's backheel to the younger Bent was cut out.

At the break Town took off the out-of-sorts Antonio Murray and Ian Westlake bringing on Jim Magilton and Richard Naylor, the latter moving into central defence allowing Santos to slip into the holding midfield role he played in Sweden.

It took the more experienced Blues side only 11 minutes to go ahead through Marcus Bent. The former Blackburn man had crossed from the right towards Darren Bent who challenged keeper McKinney. The stopper mis-punched straight back to Bent senior who measured his shot into the empty net from a tight angle.

Just after the hour Scott McLeish again missed a reasonable chance, screwing a shot wide of Lewis Price's goal.

On 73 sub Jermaine Wright received the ball in the centre ten yards outside the area. He slipped the ball to Pablo Couñago who played in Darren Bent on the right, the young striker taking the ball past McKinney and stroking the ball home from a similar angle to Marcus Bent's earlier goal.

Lewis Price had had another quiet but impressive afternoon, one kick aside, and in the 77th minute he made a fine save diving to his right from Joe Keith after a fine run from deep by the Colchester man.

With four minutes remaining keeper McKinney and defender Pat Baldwin contrived to allow Darren Bent to slip between them as they sought to deal with a long pass, the Town striker stabbing the ball past them, the ball tricking into the net for the third.

Another win for the Blues without really moving into top gear. Again Darren Bent was impressive up front and has now scored seven goals in pre-season.

At the back Price again had a solid game in goal while Diallo, Santos and Naylor all looked dependable during their time at the centre of defence. Matt Richards had an excellent last 25 minutes of the game while Makin and Wilnis were rarely troubled.

The Blues noticeably improved with the half-time introduction of Magilton and Reuser, both of whom had a major influence on the game.

Town: Price, Wilnis, Makin (Richards 65), Santos, Diallo, Westlake (Naylor 46), Murray (Magilton 46), Miller (Wright 56), Couñago, M Bent (Reuser 56), D Bent.

Photo: Action Images

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