Colchester United 3 Sheffield Wednesday 1

Last updated : 15 November 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Rampant Colchester United made it six wins on the bounce as they cemented their position in the play-offs with a 3-1 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

The Essex side are having a superb season, and their biggest crowd of the season were treated to an excellent game, capped by four cracking finishes.

It was Colchester who took the lead in the 27th minute when Rowan Vine whipped over a precision cross for Scott McGleish to head gleefully home from six yards out.

McGleish's eighth goal of the season gave Colchester the lead that they richly deserved.

However, Wednesday were a different force in the second half, and they equalised following a free-kick routine on 58 minutes.

Lloyd Owusu's shot on the turn came back off a post and defender Leigh Bromby was on hand to ram home the rebound.

At that point, the Owls looked the more likely winners, only for super sub Wayne Andrews to regain the lead for the home side.

Andrews, who had appeared as 72nd minute substitute, rifled home a right-footed shot from the edge of the box following a lay-off by Karl Duguid to restore United's lead in the 80th minute.

It was Andrews' tenth goal of the season, and he has now scored in each of his last five appearances.

Striker Craig Fagan put the icing on the cake by blasting home a third in the final minute of stoppage time, after being set up by Vine.

While Wednesday are slithering down the table after a run of six league games without a win, the U's are going in the opposite direction.

Colchester manager, Phil Parkinson said: "That's the best performance since I've been at the club. We were terrific in the first half, although we were a little over elaborate with the ball in the second.

"We came back strongly and I am going to savour this result."