A late Scott McGleish strike gave Colchester three valuable points in their fight to stave off relegation.

There were only two minutes left when McGleish headed home the rebound from a Gareth Williams shot.

The visitors had earlier gone close when an Adam Eaton shot hit the angle of bar and post with goalkeeper Simon Brown beaten.

Colchester themselves struck the woodwork 12 minutes before half-time with a McGleish shot that hit the underside of the crossbar.

The home side made the better start, with Dean Morgan going close twice, along with Kemal Izzet.

At the other end, only last-ditch tackles by Alan White and Sam Stockley prevented Andy White and Wayne Corden from scoring.

The victory was the U's first home win in four months.

Colchester: Brown, Stockley, Fitzgerald, White, Chilvers, Stockwell, Pinault, Izzet, Keith, McGleish, Morgan. Subs: Duguid, Bowry, Atangana, Williams, McKinney.

Mansfield: Welch, Doane, Day, Gadsby, Eaton, Lawrence, Williamson, Curtis, Corden, Andy White, Mendes. Subs: Jason White, Curle, Disley, Mitchell, Christie.

Referee: I Williamson (Berkshire)