COLCHESTER United have come to the party and are starting to get noticed.

A wall flower for too long, a superb smash-and-grab victory over Hartlepool United made it eight wins in a row, equalling the club's record for consecutive victories and in the process the U's have declared to the Coca-Cola League One 'we're here!'.

Looking at this match back in August when the fixture list was announced it looked unlikely the U's would walk away winners on a cold December night in the North East.

But that's what they did when Jamie Cureton's 60th minute strike crashed into the net and Phil Parkinson's side stepped up into the play-offs for the first time this season.

It is a remarkable turnaround.

For the full report, plus reaction and pictures, see Wednesday's Evening Gazette.