Match Report

Colchester United snatched a late smash-and-grab win to derail Millwall's automatic promotion ambitions with Clive Platt powering home his header with only six minutes to play.

The South Londoners dominated throughout and will rue their missed first-half chances as they squandered a chance to make up ground on second-placed Peterborough with their crucial game in hand.

Hard-working Gary Alexander, who was forced off before the break with a head injury, had the Lions' best chance of the evening when he produced a fine save from U's stopper Mark Cousins on 15 minutes.

The targetman rose highest to power David Martin's accurate cross towards the top corner but Cousins pushed it round the post.

The striker came close to wriggling free five minutes later after a neat one-two with Jason Price on his home debut. Alexander's shot from 12 yards out was closed down by Pat Baldwin with the Colchester back line stretched.

The visitors were almost unlocked by a well-rehearsed set-piece. Andy Frampton nodded James Henry's clipped free-kick into the danger area for skipper Tony Craig to drill just wide from six yards out.

Alexander's last contribution before his facial injury put Price in the clear and he should have scored. However, he waited for the ball to sit up before his tame effort was blocked.

The second half started nervously for both sides with neither midfield quartet able to keep possession.

Sub Ashley Grimes came agonisingly close to getting on the end of Henry's brilliant delivery but the ball raced away from the striker and out of play.

The hosts maintained their dominance and Craig almost handed them the lead when his glancing header from Henry's cross was parried by Cousins into the path of Martin who nodded just over.

The final third seemed to whittle away with neither side doing enough to justify the points until a short corner caught the Lions napping.

Mark Yeates whipped a brilliant ball into the danger area for hit-man Platt to head into the roof of the net to silence The Den.

A late siege from the hosts was too little too late as the Lions look set to have to settle for a place in the play-offs.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides