COLCHESTER United took a huge step towards League Two safety with a well-deserved 2-0 win over their Essex rivals Southend United, at the JobServe Community Stadium tonight.

First-half goals from Michael Folivi and skipper Harry Pell secured the U’s a vital win, to leave them nine points above the relegation zone, with three games of the season remaining.

It was another fine display by Hayden Mullins’ side, who followed up their weekend win over Walsall with another disciplined display in their special one-off kit.

And Southend’s misery was compounded when Jason Demetriou was sent off for a horrible challenge on Pell, just past the midway point in the second half.

Colchester interim boss Mullins named an unchanged team for his side’s crucial game, which meant winger Callum Harriott was passed fit after limping out of their win over Walsall.

The U’s started the evening six points above the relegation zone – and their county neighbours – with four games remaining.

There was little to choose between the two sides in the opening stages, with the contest starting in cagey fashion.

That was perhaps understandable given what was at stake between the two sides, as they battle to avoid the drop.

Chances were few and far between and it took until the 27th minute for the game to come to life, with Harriott drilling a low shot from the edge of the area straight at keeper, Mark Oxley.

But Colchester took a crucial 30th-minute lead when Folivi followed up to score his second goal in as many games, after Oxley had spilled Pell’s low 25-yard effort straight into his path.

It was Folivi’s second goal of the season against Southend, after he had netted in their Papa John’s Trophy win over Blues earlier in the season.

Boosted by the goal, Colchester went in search of more after that and seven minutes later, they had doubled their lead.

After former Southend schoolboy Noah Chilvers’ corner had only been partially cleared, skipper Pell smashed the ball into the centre of the net from around 14 yards.

U’s keeper Shamal George was hardly troubled in the first half and the closest Southend came to troubling the home goal was when Demetriou sent a shot well wide, in first-half stoppage time.

Colchester went in two goals ahead at the break and Southend boss Phil Brown reacted by making a double half-time change, sending on U’s promotion winner Greg Halford and Kyle Taylor in a bid to get his side back into the game.

The U’s, watched by their former interim boss Wayne Brown from the stands, were forced to make a change themselves early in the second half when a frustrated Folivi was forced off with an injury, resulting in Jevani Brown coming on in his place.

And Southend were reduced to ten men just past the midway point in the second half when Demetriou was sent off for a vicious challenge on Pell in the centre circle.

The U’s were rarely troubled as the clock ticked down and they comfortably saw the game out, to record a crucial derby win.

COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Welch-Hayes, Eastman, Smith, Clampin, Chilvers, Pell, Wiredu, Harriott, Nouble, Folivi (sub Brown, 54).

Subs (not used): Sowunmi, Stevenson, Lapslie, Senior, Oteh, Gerken.

Southend United: Oxley, Bwomono (sub Cordner, 73), Hobson, Hackett Fairchild (sub Egbri, 67), White, Demetriou, Walsh (sub Taylor, 46), Hart, Ferguson, Goodship (sub Halford, 46), Holmes (sub Acquah, 83).

Subs (not used): Olayinka, Seaden.

Referee: Kevin Johnson.

U’s man of the match: Harry Pell.

Goals: Colchester: Folivi (30), Pell (37).

Bookings: Colchester: Harriott (unsporting behaviour, 49). Southend: White (foul, 75).

Sending off: Demetriou (serious foul play, 69).