Jamie Cureton hit a hat-trick against his former club as Norwich eased their relegation fears with a superb 5-1 victory over Colchester.The Us struck a consolation four minutes before the interval through Kevin Lisbie, who netted his 15th goal of the season, but that was as good as it got for Geraint Williams' side.

Colchester started strongly and won a corner inside the opening two minutes which was taken by Johnnie Jackson, but the danger was cleared at the near post by Norwich's Matthew Pattison.

The visitors continued to push and shortly afterwards a Dean Hammond free-kick found Jackson, whose right-footed volley from 20 yards flew wide of the target.

But it was Norwich who took the lead after six minutes with their first real attack.

Glenn Roeder's side had lost five of their previous seven games but Otsemobor stunned Colchester with a superb individual run which saw him beat three defenders before drilling the ball past visiting goalkeeper Dean Gerken.

Despite that setback, Colchester continued to be the more adventurous with Jackson at the forefront of many of their best moves.

After 16 minutes he carved out another opportunity but sent a left-footed effort the wrong side of the post.

Norwich had a chance to double their advantage four minutes later but Pattison powered a header wide when well placed.

And another opportunity for the home side went begging midway through the first half when Darel Russel failed to hit the target after getting on the end of Ryan Bertrand's inviting cross.

But Norwich finally doubled their advantage nine minutes before half-time.

Darren Huckerby left defenders trailing in his wake with a fine run to the edge of the area before finding Cureton, who made no mistake with a crisp right-footed volley from six yards.

Norwich seemed totally in command but Lisbie then gave the visitors hope with a fine individual goal.

Both sides made changes at the start of the second half with Norwich bringing on Alex Pearce in place of Gary Doherty and Colchester's Scott Vernon replacing Medy Elito.

Norwich started the second half strongly with Bertrand firing in a shot after 48 minutes which was well parried by Gerken.

And the home side restored their two-goal cushion after 52 minutes when Pattison was fouled in the area by Phil Ifil and Cureton netted his second goal of the game from the penalty spot.

And it could have been even worse for Colchester had it not been for Gerken who made another fine stop from the impressive Cureton just before the hour mark.

Colchester were finding it increasingly difficult to create chances although Vernon did test Norwich keeper David Marshall with a 25-yard effort after 66 minutes.

But despite plenty of effort they were unable to reduce the deficit again and it was Norwich who had the final say as Cureton steered the ball home from 12 yards three minutes from time before Dublin struck in injury time.

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