Colchester United booked their place in the FA Cup second round for the first time in three years after brushing aside Conference South side Gosport Borough 6-3 this afternoon.

The U's were worthy winners at Privett Park, thanks to a brace from Freddie Sears and further goals from Gavin Massey, Sanchez Watt, Alex Gilbey and substitute Sammie Szmodics.

Colchester took a 14th minute lead when Massey followed up to score his fourth goal of the season at the second attempt, after Watt’s header from Sean Clohessy’s cross came back off a post.

Sears missed a good chance for the U’s soon after and George Moncur’s effort flew straight at Gosport goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore, as the visitors threatened more goals.

Colchester eventually doubled their lead midway through the first half through Watt, who finished emphatically at the far post after Sears’ had delivered an accurate cross to the near post.

Ashmore denied Gilbey before the U’s added a third goal when Sears scored from the penalty spot, after Colchester’s leading goalscorer had been brought down in the area by Gosport captain Brett Poate.

Danny Smith ballooned a shot over from Rory Williams’ pass, before Gosport finally pulled a goal back six minutes before half-time when their leading goalscorer Justin Bennett turned home Ben Gerring’s pass from close range.

However, Colchester restored their three-goal advantage just before half-time through Gilbey, who raced through from inside his own half before slotting home, despite keeper Ashmore’s best attempts to keep it out.

Gosport gave themselves hope eight minutes after the break when Bennett slotted calmly past Walker, after finding himself alone in the U's area.

But Sears scored his second of the game when he finished coolly past Ashmore with 12 minutes remaining, from Watt's cross and Szmodics blasted home a sixth in stoppage-time.

There was still time for Gosport substitute Lee Wort to score a goal with a shot that went in off a post before the end but the U's went through.

For a full match report, pictures and reaction to the U's FA Cup tie with Gosport Borough, see Monday's Daily Gazette.