Stockport got their League Two promotion bid back on track after 1-0 win at struggling Colchester.
Kyle Wootton’s first-half header secured the points for the visitors and spoiled Ben Garner’s first game in charge of United.
Stockport, who had picked up just two points from their previous games, almost took an early lead when Colchester goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara denied Will Collar from point-blank range while Ossama Ashley went close with a deflected effort for the hosts.
But County looked the more threatening, with Chris Hussey’s spectacular first-time effort flashing across goal and Wootton just failing to finish from close range, after Collar had picked him out.
The Hatters eventually went ahead in the 37th minute through Wootton, who headed in from close range after substitute Ryan Johnson had nodded Hussey’s corner back across goal.
Wootton was denied a second by O’Hara just before the break and Stockport came agonisingly close again just after half-time when Antoni Sarcevic’s brilliant free-kick clattered the upright.
Colchester threatened spasmodically and Connor Wood’s first-time effort flew just wide after Junior Tchamadeu had picked him out, but the visitors claimed victory.
