Mansfield applying a first spell of sustained pressure as they respond as you'd expect, with Stephen Quinn heavily involved down the left flank.

But Colchester do look a threat on the break.

Jayden Fevrier gets the better of Jordan Bowery, but his pass through to Brad Ihionvien is just a little overhit and runs through to Christy Pym.

First booking of the day and it goes to U's Bradley Ihionvien.

The forward delays a Mansfield free-kick and picks up a yellow.

Andy White
Ex-Mansfield striker on BBC Radio Nottingham

That's a fine finish from the right hand side of the penalty area.

Tom Hopper just got his foot to it to guide it, to keep it in, then Anderson gets through far too easily to drill it into the far corner of the net.

A mix-up at the back sees Mansfield keeper Christy Pym's pass go straight out for a throw in.

From the set-piece a neat flick releases Harry Anderson who runs to the byline and sends a teasing ball across the six-yard box which was begging for a touch.

But no-one in a U's shirt gambled and Mansfield put it out for a corner.

Good start from the visitors.

Jake Garner
BBC Radio Nottingham

The Stags are top of the league, and with goals scored too (78) and with least goals conceded (36).

When you are top of the league, they are the kind of stats that show you are up there, and deservedly so.

Colchester start on the front foot and find a few touches in the Mansfield 18-yard box in the opening minute.

But it's Mansfield with the first attempt.

A quick counter sends Stephen Quinn away down the left who finds Lucas Akins in the box.

He tees it up for the run of Hiram Boateng, but the midfielder's effort clears the bar.

Right, let's get this show on the road.

It's been a morning for umbrellas and cagoules, but the sun is out for now at a blustery One Call Stadium.

Referee Simon Mather puts the whistle to his lips and we're under way.

Mansfield are unchanged from the starting XI which thrashed Bradford 5-1 last Saturday.

But there is a notable addition to the bench in defender Elliott Hewitt who returns to the Stags matchday squad for the first time since picking up a dreaded ACL injury last April.

Image source, BBC Sport

U's boss Danny Cowley makes two changes to the Colchester side which drew at home to play-off chasers Walsall seven days ago.

Forward Tom Hopper and midfielder Alistair Smith come in for Noah Chilvers and John Akinde who drop to the bench.

Image source, BBC Sport

The other early kick-off in League Two is the game between Harrogate and Bradford and they both could really do with a win.

Harrogate have failed to win any of their last eight league games (D4 L4), a run that started with a 9-2 loss to Mansfield in February. They have never suffered a nine-match winless streak in the EFL.

The Sulphurites who sit 14th will be hoping to avoid making it four home defeats in a row.

Bradford go into this game on the back of three losses.

The Bantams are 17th in League Two and suffered a 3-0 defeat against Notts County in the their last outing on Tuesday.

It finished 1-1 back in September the last time these two met with Jamie Walker scoring a 95th minute equaliser for Bradford.

Image source, Getty Images

There's huge incentive for Nigel Clough's Stags this lunchtime.

With Stockport not in action until this evening (17:15 GMT), a win would take Mansfield seven points clear in the race for the League Two title and plump their cushion in the automatic promotion places - for a few hours at least - up to eight points.

With the U's out of the relegation zone only on goal difference - and with only one win in 2024 - the Stags must be confident of sending an "over to you" memo to their rivals.

The international break may have shrunk our usual offering but there's still plenty to play for in League One and League Two as we continue to charge down the home straight.

The three games in League One have a bearing at both ends of the table with Derby County hoping a fifth win in a row can put the pressure on leaders Portsmouth and shrink the gap between them to two points.

At the other end, will today bring Darren Moore his first victory as Port Vale boss with time starting to run out in the fight to avoid the drop?

There's a full programme in League Two where the race for the title and top-three finish gets hotter as does the scramble to stay in the EFL.

And it's the fourth tier that bookends our coverage with leaders Mansfield up first at 12:30 GMT, then Harrogate v Bradford (13:00) before Stockport step up later (17:15) in what looks like a humdinger against MK Dons who could find themselves second tonight.

Ready?

Thought so.