Two goals, against the run of play, in three frantic minutes before half-time broke Colchester United's hearts and sent promotion-seeking Stoke a step nearer to the First Division.

The U's were by far the better side and looked set to pull off an unexpected win until the 42nd minute when Stoke's Bjarni Gudjonsson struck.

The Potters could hardly believe their luck and their manager Gudjon Thordarson must have been the most surprised man in the ground when Derby County loanee Deon Burton netted again on the stroke of half-time.

All the U's had to show for one of their fine performances was a well-taken goal ten minutes into the second period from man-of-the-match Karl Duguid, returning after suspension.

Minus illness victims Joe Keith and Adrian Coote, but with Duguid and Ross Johnson restored to the line-up, the U's started brightly.

Midfielder Bobby Bowry sent a long-range shot wide after just six minutes.

But, it was Stoke's Jergen Vandeurzen who had the first shot on target on 18 minutes.

Steve Whitton's men gradually took command but top scorer Scott McGleish now without a goal in 15 outings headed a Graham Barrett cross miles too high.

Gunlaugsson fired high and wide from 25 yards as Stoke roared into spasmodic action again in the 38th minute and four minutes later the unthinkable happened.

Gudjonsson suddenly let rip from 35 yards and his thunderbolt drive soared over Brown before dipping under the crossbar into the top corner of the net.

Only seconds later they were celebrating again as Burton powered home a header from Wayne Thomas' right-wing cross.

It was the Derby player's first goal in four outings for the club and he was to enjoy even more success ten minutes from full-time.

Duguid reduced the lead ten minutes into the second half with a great low drive angled across Cutler from Barrett's inch-perfect cross.

As the U's stepped on the gas again, Thomas Pinault had a deft chip headed off the line by Thomas before McGleish headed too high following a great run and cross by Duguid 14 minutes from full-time.

But the game was up for the U's as Clive Clarke threaded a pass into the path of Burton who made the score 3-1 after shooting through Brown's legs.

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002