Colchester United 0-1 Barnet
- Published
Alex Nicholls' second-half strike proved enough to give Barnet three precious points and dent Colchester's play-off hopes.
Ryan Watson fired wide for Barnet early on and Mikael Mandron went close for Colchester in similar fashion, before Nicholls wasted a gilt-edged chance for the visitors in the 19th minute, blazing over unmarked from 10 yards.
Colchester twice came close to taking the lead late in the first half, with Brandon Comley's excellent 25-yard strike flashing inches wide of the upright and Barnet keeper George Legg alert enough to foil Courtney Senior in the area.
Colchester changed their formation at the break in a bid to make a breakthrough.
But it was the Bees who scored the winner just after the hour mark through Nicholls, who controlled and fired low past Sam Walker from close range after John Akinde had picked him out in the penalty area.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.