Bottom side Colchester stunned Ipswich with a 2-0 success on Saturday which dented their neighbours' hopes of climbing out of the Championship.The Essex side still look certainties for relegation despite their win at Layer Road, which came courtesy of two Scott Vernon goals.

However, they at least managed to restore some pride with their first win since mid-February and first clean sheet for more than seven months.

Manager Geraint Williams said: "It was a pleasing performance but it was the result that was important. In any derby to keep a clean sheet it great.

"Scott Vernon is probably the best finisher we have at the club and tactically he's excellent - I'm sure he'll score a lot of goals for us.

"It's still going to be very difficult for us but it's important we keep the nucleus of the squad together.

"We'll be looking to keep the players we want to keep and build for the future."

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton admitted the defeat was a big blow to his side's play-off aspirations.

He said: "We need to win all five of our games now - we have two massive home games coming up and we have to win them both.

"Today was a poor result from our point of view. I don't think we took Colchester lightly.

"The lad (Vernon) has taken his goals very well - but they were two shocking goals for us to concede.

"We had some good chances but didn't take them and that came back to haunt us."

Colchester had the better of the early opportunities with Karl Duguid and Kevin Lisbie going close.

At the other end Alan Lee's glancing header was saved by goalkeeper Dean Gerken midway through the first half - and at that stage Town seemed to be improving.

However, it was the home side who took the lead just before the half hour when John White's pass was held up well by Lisbie, allowing Vernon's immaculate control to take him past Alex Bruce and plant an excellent shot past goalkeeper Stephen Bywater from 12 yards.

Town pressed for an equaliser before half-time, with Gerken denying both Lee and Danny Simpson, while Danny Haynes had an effort chalked off for offside.

Ipswich continued to edge proceedings after the break, with Alan Quinn's snapshot sailing inches wide.

But although Magilton's side edged the second half they were unable to beat Gerken.

And when Vernon fired in a fine left foot effort from the edge of the area with 17 minutes to go it was an uphill task for Town.

Gerken saved well from Lee and Jordan Rhodes as Ipswich pressed late on but it was Colchester who stole the local bragging rights.

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