Paul Sturrock could not hide his delight after seeing Plymouth Argyle claim their biggest win of the season with a 4-1 success over Colchester.A Philip Ifil own-goal gave Argyle the lead in the 11th minute - before Jermaine Easter, Steven MacLean and Gary Sawyer put the home side in control.

Sturrock said: "I thought we were sloppy in the first half and told them so - Colchester could have easily come in 1-1 at half time - but in the second half we got it out to the wingers. It was much better.

"We have been working on free-kicks and scored from one, and Gary Teale has got in some tremendous crosses. That's his best game for us so far and showed what he is all about.

"I am obviously happy that we have won again. It puts us back up to sixth, and I would like to think we will be in the rat race at the top, come the last match of the season - with something to play for.

"Next up we've got another hard game at home - Sheffield United - but after this result I would hope that we have a healthy crowd in to back us."

MacLean smashed his second Pilgrims goal from a 25-yard free-kick on the hour.

Three minutes earlier, strike partner Easter had deflected in Peter Halmosi's low drive for his third goal of the season to put Plymouth 3-0 ahead.

Colchester countered briefly, with Kevin Lisbie going solo from the halfway line before lifting the ball over home goalkeeper Luke McCormick to make it 3-1 in the 64th minute.

The Us joy was short-lived - because four minutes later, Plymouth restored their three-goal advantage when foraging left-back Sawyer claimed his first Argyle goal - converting Teale's right-wing cross at the far post.

On-loan Derby winger Teale proved a thorn in the Us' right side all night - crossing for the first goal after just 11 minutes, headed back towards goal by Ifil.

Us boss Geraint Williams said: "Three results has seen us slip back down, but we have got to get that positive outlook back that we had at the start of the year and string three or four results together.

"We came out with a game plan to stop Plymouth, because we knew they had quality in the final third from their wingers.

"But their first goal was a carbon copy of their fourth, put in at the back post from a cross from the right - so we didn't stop them.

"Plymouth do the basics very very well, and we knew they would hurt us if we let them."

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