Colchester United 3-2 Bristol City

Tony Humes took over as Colchester manager in September

Tom Lapslie's first senior goal helped move Colchester out of the relegation zone as they beat leaders Bristol City.

The 19-year-old gave the hosts the lead on three minutes after goalkeeper Frank Fielding spilt Elliott Hewitt's cross.

Macauley Bonne's header doubled their advantage and Chris Porter added a third before the break.

Goals from City pair James Tavernier and Aden Flint set up a tense finish, but the hosts hung on for a valuable three points.

Tavernier's 50th-minute cross eluded Sam Walker to give City a glimmer of hope before centre-back Flint headed in his second goal in two games, but Steve Cotterill's side fell to their second defeat inside a week.

The result sees Colchester move out of the bottom four for the first time since November, while City's lead at the top of League One is cut to two points.

Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill told BBC Radio Bristol:

"It was two halves. The first half we didn't turn up. It was a shocking pitch and we got the ball pinched off us a couple of times.

"We ended up being 2-0 down and then before we knew where we were a third went in.

"It was a horrible pitch. You couldn't play football on it but that's no excuse, really.

"We should have been brighter than that, but we weren't."