LYLE Taylor's first-half brace helped Colchester United get back to winning ways in League Two this afternoon with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers.

The outstanding Samson Tovide also netted in the second half, as the U's claimed their second league win of the season with a comprehensive victory at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley named an unchanged team following the 3-3 draw at Morecambe, last weekend.

The U’s were looking for a bright start in the autumnal sunshine and felt they should have been awarded a fourth-minute penalty when Tovide appeared to be brought down by Connor Wood in the area but the referee waved away the claims, much to the home fans' disgust.

However, the jeers turned to cheers a few minutes later when Taylor converted from inside the six-yard box from Tovide’s fine run and cross, to score the 100th league goal of his career.

It was a replica of the goal Taylor scored at Morecambe seven days earlier, where Tovide was also the provider.

Tranmere looked for a quick response and almost got one in the 12th minute when Harvey Saunders collected possession 25 yards from goal before firing a deflected shot inches over, with the referee awarding a corner.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Tovide looked lively and was just unable to get on the end of Taylor's flick on in the six-yard box, from Edwards' cross into the box.

But Tranmere carried a threat and Regan Hendry went close just after the half hour for the visitors when he collected possession well on the edge of the area before lashing a shot just wide of the target.

Ellis Iandolo cleared away from near his own goal-line following Connor Jennings’ clever flick from Hendry's corner but Colchester doubled their lead, in the 38th minute.

Taylor decisively stabbed home his second of the game from close range, after Owura Edwards had escaped down the left and picked him out.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

There was still time before the interval for Colchester goalkeeper Matt Macey to foil Harvey Saunders who momentarily found himself in space in the area following a ball over the top of the home defence, but the U’s went in at half-time ahead.

Colchester looked to extend their lead after the break and Tranmere goalkeeper Luke McGee made a smart stop to deny Mandela Egbo from close range after the U's wing-back had latched onto Alex Woodyard's fine pass in the area.

McGee foiled Teddy Bishop soon after before Colchester went even closer to making it 3-0 in the 70th minute when Jack Payne's fine 20-yard free-kick clipped the upright before going off for a goal-kick.

But Colchester did extend their lead in the 78th minute through Tovide, who got the goal his fine all-round performance deserved when he finished clinically past McGee from Payne's precise pass, after Woodyard had done well to win the ball in midfield.

Macey did well to push away Jennings' fierce effort late on and Tranmere substitute Kristian Dennis curled a shot against the upright in stoppage time while Macey made a late save from former Colchester defender Connor Wood from point-blank range but the U's were well worth their win.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Macey, Goodliffe, Flanagan, Egbo (sub Hunt, 80), Iandolo, Woodyard, Payne, Bishop (sub Read, 80), Edwards (sub Gordon, 80), Tovide (sub Donnelly, 89), Taylor (sub Scully, 67).

Substitutes (not used): Kelleher, Smith.

Tranmere Rovers: McGee, Norman (sub O'Connor, 46), Bradshaw, Turnbull, Wood, Hendry (sub Williams, 87), Saunders (sub Dennis, 79), Khan (sub Merrie, 86), Jennings, Patrick (sub Solomon, 87), Norris.

Substitutes (not used): Davison, Murphy.

Referee: Matthew Corlett.

Goals: Colchester: Taylor (7, 38), Tovide (79).

Bookings: Colchester: Woodyard (foul, 58), Edwards (unsporting behaviour, 65). Tranmere: Jennings (unsporting behaviour, 14), Bradshaw (foul, 21), Khan (foul, 39), O'Connor (foul, 81).

Attendance: 4,243 (267 Tranmere fans).