COLCHESTER United extended their unbeaten league run to 13 matches with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Macclesfield Town.

Two goals in as many first-half minutes from Callum Harriott and Fiacre Kelleher set the U's on their way at the JobServe Community Stadium.

And although Ben Stephens pulled a goal back for Macclesfield late on, John McGreal's side claimed their first win in five matches and a maiden victory, in 2020.

McGreal made two changes to his side against Macclesfield.

New loan signing Tafari Moore, who has arrived on loan from Plymouth Argyle, went straight into the U’s starting line-up while Theo Robinson also returned after returning on loan from Southend United.

Ryan Jackson missed out due to suspension, while Luke Norris dropped to the bench and there was no place among the substitutes for Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and Michael Fernandes.

Colchester started well and almost took a sixth-minute lead when Macclesfield goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook parried Ryan Clampin’s low effort away for a corner after Callum Harriott had done well to release the left-back in the area.

The U’s went ahead in the 14th minute in spectacular fashion.

Winger Harriott picked up possession nearly 30 yards from goal and unleashed a magnificent shot that looped past Charles-Cook and into the net.

And it was 2-0, two minutes later.

Kwame Poku’s skill and trickery in the area resulted in a low cross that Macclesfield defender Fiacre Kelleher turned into his own net from close range.

It put Colchester in a great position but they almost conceded in the 18th minute when goalkeeper Dean Gerken made a smart stop to turn ben Stephens’ low shot away for a corner.

But midway through the first half, Harriott tried another long-range shot from 25 yards that dipped just over the bar.

Macclesfield kept battling and almost pulled a goal back eight minutes before the break through Corey O’Keefe, who dragged a low shot wide of the far post after Luke Prosser's attempted clearance had been charged down by Stephens.

Jak McCourt tried his luck from 20 yards for Macclesfield before the break but his shot flew over the bar, as Colchester went in at half-time in control.

The U's started the second half well and forced a number of corners, in the minutes that immediately followed half-time.

Harriott saw a low shot deflect wide after another jinking run in the area but at the other end, Joe Ironside's low deflected shot flew inches past the far post for a corner after he had exchanged passes with Stephens, as the Silkmen looked for a route back into the game.

Robinson had the ball in the net only for his effort to be ruled out for offside, before the U's made their first change of the match when Brandon Comley replaced Ben Stevenson in midfield.

Tom Lapslie then entered the fray for new boy Moore but Macclesfield kept battling and pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute when Stephens volleyed a sweet shot past Gerken from the edge of the area.

Colchester almost restored their two-goal advantage when Charles-Cook denied Robinson from point-blank range, with the U's striker appearing to be fouled by Fraser Horsfall as he attempted to follow up.

Gerken pushed away Ironside's deflected effort as Macclesfield pressed but Charles-Cook denied substitute Luke Norris in stoppage-time, as the U's claimed a vital win.