COLCHESTER United's survival hopes took another turn for the worse tonight after crashing to defeat at play-off chasing Sheffield United.

Two goals from Jose Baxter, including one from the spot, and strikes from Matt Done and Jay McEveley condemned them to a heavy 4-1 loss at Bramall Lane.

Sammie Szmodics’ close-range goal had made it 3-1 and looked to have given Tony Humes’ men a lifeline, in this crucial League One contest.

But Baxter’s penalty, awarded for a foul by Matthew Briggs on Paul Coutts, quickly restored the Blades’ three-goal advantage.