Colchester United ran out 3-0 winners at Lincoln City, on Saturday afternoon.

Brennan Dickenson fired them ahead and Sammie Szmodics scored twice after that, as the U's claimed victory at Sincil Bank.

However, it was not enough for John McGreal's side to clinch a play-off place, as they finished eighth and missed out by a point.

A DRAMATIC DAY

THE final day of the 2018-19 season is likely to go down as one of the most memorable in Colchester United’s history.

The outcome was ultimately not the one that the U’s had wanted, with them having missed out on the play-offs.

But John McGreal’s gave it absolutely everything in their last match of the campaign, playing newly-crowned champions Lincoln City off the park.

The U’s fulfilled their end of the bargain and for a long time, it looked as though results elsewhere were going their way, too.

But with just minutes of the regular League Two season remaining, Newport County scored a late equaliser at Morecambe to pinch the last play-off spot and pip Colchester to the post.

Even though the final feeling was one of disappointment, it was a day to be proud of the U’s and their performance.

MATT FINISHES U'S CHALLENGE

JAMILLE Matt was the man to end Colchester United’s play-off hopes.

And it seems he has a bit of a history with the U’s, even though he has never played for them.

He broke Colchester’s hearts with his late equaliser for Newport County at Morecambe – cancelling out a goal from former U’s loanee Aaron Collins - and he’s been a real thorn in their side, over the years.

Matt scored for Newport in their 2-0 win over Colchester earlier in the season and he also netted for them for previous clubs Blackpool (2017) and Fleetwood (2015).

No wonder the striker was a past transfer target for the U’s, a few years back.

SAMMIE SIGNING OFF?

IF this was Sammie Szmodics’ final game in a Colchester United shirt, he certainly signed off in style.

Should Szmodics leave for pastures new this summer, his fine brace and man-of-the-match performance at Lincoln City is a fitting parting gift to U’s fans.

The U’s youth-team product has finished the season very strongly and 15 goals from what is essentially an attacking midfield position is an impressive feat.

Szmodics is undoubtedly a huge talent and at the age of 23 years old, few U’s fans would surely begrudge him a move to a bigger club.

SAFE HANDS

IF someone had told Ethan Ross a couple of weeks ago that he would play the last two and a half games of Colchester United’s season in a pressure situation and not concede a goal, he would have been delighted – and that’s just what has happened.

Having spent the vast majority of the season either playing for the U’s under-23s or out on loan, the young goalkeeper got his chance right at the campaign – and has taken it with both hands.

Ross has looked impressive in the time he has had out on the pitch, especially given Colchester’s opponents in the final two games of the season.

It is easy to forget that up until only a few days ago, he had not made a single league appearance and he will be hoping he will be able to start the next campaign as he finished this one – in the U’s starting line-up.

DEFINITELY MAYBE A MISTAKE

FOR lots of reasons, it was a somewhat surreal day at Sincil Bank.

The changeable weather matched the contrast in mood of the U’s fans, with wind, sun and hailstones throughout the afternoon.

Colchester United had an eventful afternoon for obvious reasons and they well and truly played the role of party poopers at the home of the champions.

There was even a guard of honour for Lincoln City – who apparently were reluctant to have one.

But perhaps the most bizarre moment of the whole afternoon was hearing Oasis track ‘Rock N’ Roll Star’ blasting out of the PA system long after the game had restarted for the second half.