Sheffield Utd climb the table

Sheffield United climbed back into the play-off positions after sweeping aside relegation-threatened Colchester 4-1 at Bramall Lane.

Jose Baxter scored twice for Nigel Clough's side while Jay McEveley and debutant Matt Done were also on target. Sammie Szmodics effort midway through the second-half briefly provided the visitors with a glimmer of hope before Matthew Briggs' foul on Paul Coutts presented Baxter with the opportunity to apply the coup-de-grace. Baxter gave United, under pressure from their own supporters following a disappointing sequence of results, the perfect start when he claimed his seventh of the season with only eight minutes gone. The former Everton youngster bundled home Jamal Campbell-Ryce's set piece from close range after John Brayford had been fouled. Colchester, who had earlier seen Sammie Szmodics force a superb near-post save from Iain Turner, created numerous promising situations of their own with former United striker Chris Porter seeing an angled drive palmed away to safety midway through the first half. But Done doubled United's advantage when he applied the finishing touches to a memorable 38th minute move. Jamie Murphy cleared the ball to Bob Harris who, spotting his team-mate in space on the opposite side of the pitch, switched play with an inch-perfect 40-yard pass and Done's angled drive left visiting goalkeeper Sam Walker with no chance. Jay McEveley combined with the impressive Coutts to smash home from long range on the hour before Szmodics whipped home beyond Turner. United put the seal on a deserved victory when Briggs tugged back Coutts as he powered into the box which presented Baxter with the opportunity to score his second from the spot.