Colchester United moved back into League Two's play-off places with a 3-1 win over Crawley Town, on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Sammie Szmodics, Frank Nouble and Luke Norris gave the U's all three points at the JobServe Community Stadium, with Filipe Morais's penalty proving a mere consolation for the Reds.

The win saw Colchester move up to sixth in the League Two table, and John McGreal’s men travel to play Morecambe, next weekend.

Here, Colchester United reporter Jonathan Waldron rates the players following another high-scoring home win.

RENE GILMARTIN 7

Slotted in well despite it being his first league appearance in more than five and a half years.

RYAN JACKSON 8

Played his part in the U’s second goal; was a competent performer at both ends of the pitch.

LUKE PROSSER 7

U’s skipper felt hard done by to concede a penalty but made a superb headed goal-line clearance in second half.

TOM EASTMAN 7

Was a solid performer for Colchester at the back and was dominant in the air. Booked.

KANE VINCENT-YOUNG 7

Another tidy performance by the Colchester left-back despite Gambin’s threat. Booked.

HARRY PELL 8

Produced another all-action display and was unlucky not to score early on.

TOM LAPSLIE 7

Was typically hard-working at the heart of the Colchester midfield throughout.

FRANK NOUBLE 8

Produced another clinical finish for his goal and always posed a threat to the Crawley defence.

SAMMIE SZMODICS 8

Showed his predatory instincts again for his goal and helped create Norris’s late strike. Booked

COURTNEY SENIOR 8

Did extremely well to help create Szmodics’ goal and was a lively customer throughout.

LUKE NORRIS 9

U’s man of the match. Colchester's top scorer produced a clinical finish for the U’s third goal and helped create their other two.

SUBSTITUTES

FRANKIE KENT (for Senior, 70) 7

Helped Colchester nullify Crawley’s growing threat in the closing stages and see the game out.

BRENNAN DICKENSON (for Vincent-Young, 77) 6

Came off the bench to play his part in the crucial final stages as Colchester claimed victory.

DIAZ WRIGHT (for Pell, 79) 6

U’s youngster got another taste of first-team action after replacing the injured Pell late on.

SUBSTITUTES (NOT USED): Kensdale, Collins, Mandron, Barnes.