Gillingham 1 - 0 Colchester United: Dominic Samuel nets Gillingham winner which downs lowly Colchester

Dominic Samuel's second-half strike earned Gillingham a 1-0 victory over bottom club Colchester, who lost for the ninth league game in a row.

Loanee Samuel scored his third goal in as many games for the Gills on 70 minutes, slotting home from close range from John Egan's knock on.

Egan almost added a second five minutes later, but his 45-yard effort cannoned back off the bar.

The Gills, who have only lost once at home in Sky Bet League 1 this season, threatened early on when midfielder Jake Hessenthaler blazed over from close range latching onto Rory Donnelly's flick.

Tom Eastman's goal-bound strike was brilliantly blocked by Gills defender Max Ehmer, and midfielder George Moncur shot just over from a 40-yard free-kick.

Gills substitute Luke Norris volleyed into the side netting from 10 yards shortly after coming on at half-time, and also headed wide from Bradley Dack's free-kick.

U's striker Chris Porter came close to an opener for the out-of-form Essex club, heading against the bar on the hour mark, only for Samuel to win it 20 minutes from time.