Colchestervs.Chesterfield

The U's will hope to build on their win last time out, while the Spireites will be desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat.

Match preview

Danny Cowley's Colchester have won five and drawn four of their last nine games, and are now 11th in the table, nine points behind seventh-placed Crewe Alexandra in the playoff spots.

Most recently, a late Jack Payne penalty snatched all three points for the U's on the road to MK Dons, who went on to have Callum Hendry sent off in stoppage time.

Cowley will be pleased to have won the game, but the fact that his team left it so late and relied on a spot-kick against a side that had lost 10 of their prior 15 league matches and eventually went on to sack their manager will be concerning to the boss.

However, with just one loss on their own turf since October, Tuesday's hosts will be confident of securing another positive result to take their undefeated stretch to the 10-game mark in midweek.

Colchester will also take heart from the defensive solidity they showed to keep five clean sheets across their last nine matches, knowing that another win could see them leapfrog both Bromley and Salford City should results elsewhere prove favourable.

Meanwhile, Paul Cook's Chesterfield have struggled in recent weeks, and with four losses from their last five games, they are now 15th in the fourth tier, four points behind their opponents.

Last time out, the Spireites were beaten 3-1 by promotion-chasing Crewe, and though Dylan Duffy gave them some hope with an 87th-minute goal, Tom Lowery sealed the win for the Railwaymen in stoppage time.

That result followed on from two away losses against Swindon Town and Walsall for Tuesday's visitors, and given their appalling record of one win, one draw and eight defeats from their 10 most recent matches on the road, fans will be bracing for a difficult night in Colchester.

That being said, Cook's side drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture back in October, and they will travel knowing that a win this time around could take them above both Swindon and Fleetwood Town, moving them to within 10 points of the playoffs with 13 games left to play.

Colchester United League Two form:

W

W

D

D

D

W

Chesterfield League Two form:

W

L

W

L

L

L

Team News

Colchester will welcome left-sided forward Owura Edwards back into the XI after he served a suspension against MK Dons last time out.

On Tuesday, expect Edwards to start out wide, where he will support strikers Lyle Taylor and John-Kymani Gordon up top.

Elsewhere, midfielder Teddy Bishop has not made any of Cowley's squads since his injury against AFC Wimbledon on February 22, so anticipate a partnership of Jamie McDonnell and Jack Payne to patrol the centre of the park in midweek.

As for Chesterfield, they will be without right-back Janoi Donacien after he was taken off with an injury against Crewe.

Liam Mandeville could start in his absence, and join a backline featuring Ashley Palmer, Jamie Grimes and Jack Sparkes.

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Macey; Egbo, Kelleher, Flanagan, Iandolo; Anderson, McDonnell, Payne, Edwards; Taylor, Gordon

Chesterfield possible starting lineup:

Boot; Mandeville, Palmer, Grimes, Sparkes; Oldaker, Metcalfe; Olakigbe, Madden, Dobra; Pepple

We say: Colchester United 2-0 Chesterfield

Colchester's nine-game unbeaten streak and the five clean sheets they have kept in that stretch is testament to their resilience, and they will be tough to beat once again in midweek.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

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