Shaun Whalley scored twice as Accrington made it back-to-back wins in League Two with an impressive 2-0 victory at fellow strugglers Colchester.
Whalley netted in either half as Stanley's sixth league victory of the season moved them within two points of United - who have now won just three of their past 17 matches - and five clear of the relegation zone.
Colchester went close early on when Lyle Taylor scooped a shot wide at the near post from Oscar Thorn's cross.
But Tyler Walton missed a great chance for Accrington when he nodded over from five yards following Ash Hunter's delivery.
And Accrington went ahead in the 18th minute through Whalley, who scored from the spot having been brought down by Tom Flanagan after Nelson Khumbeni's excellent pass had dissected the U's defence.
Whalley wastefully shot straight at Matt Macey not long after but he did double the visitors' lead in the 59th minute, controlling Josh Woods' delivery from the right before smashing a shot into the centre of the net.
Colchester huffed and puffed in the second half but failed to seriously test Accrington goalkeeper Billy Crellin throughout the contest.
Report supplied by PA Media.
