In-form Colchester United started 2017 on a winning note this afternoon after beating lowly Cheltenham Town 2-0 to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in League Two.

Goals from Tom Eastman and Brennan Dickenson gave the U's their sixth victory in seven matches, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Chris Porter’s weak header was gobbled up by Cheltenham keeper Russell Griffiths in the opening minute from Owen Garvan’s corner, as Colchester looked for an early breakthrough.

And five minutes later, a good U’s move resulted in Porter sending a low shot straight at Griffiths, from Richard Brindley’s assist.

But Colchester took a tenth-minute lead when Garvan floated a free-kick into the box and defender Tom Eastman rose to head into the net, with keeper Griffiths unable to keep the ball out.

It was poor defending by the visitors but a good looping header by Eastman, who made the most of the time and space he was given in the box to score his third goal of the season.

Cheltenham had penalty claims turned down midway through the first half after Diego De Girolamo tumbled under Frankie Kent’s challenge in the area while Dan Holman’s long-range effort was easily saved by U’s keeper Sam Walker as the visitors began to warm to the task.

It was Colchester’s turn to have a penalty appeal rejected on the half hour when Rob Dickie appeared to handle Garvan’s free-kick in the area.

And the U’s almost doubled their lead six minutes before the break when Porter fired straight at Griffiths from a good position, after Kurtis Guthrie had shown good strength to hold off a defender and pick him out in the area.

Colchester went in at half-time with a deserved lead but only a fine block by Frankie Kent in the six-yard box prevented De Girolamo from scoring what looked like a certain equaliser in the minutes that immediately followed the break.

And Bristol City loanee De Girolamo went close again seconds later when his 20-yard effort sailed just over the bar, following George Elokobi’s error.

But Colchester came close to doubling their advantage on the hour when Slater’s free-kick was brilliantly palmed over by Griffiths.

And two minutes later, Dickenson was only denied by Jordan Cranston’s desperate goal-line as the U’s hunted for a second.

However, midway through the second half U’s keeper Sam Walker made a magnificent save to deny Billy Waters and Elokobi’s acrobatic clearance from near his own goal-line completed the job.

And Waters' shot then flashed inches wide of the post with 15 minutes remaining, as the visitors threatened an equaliser.

But Colchester sealed their win with six minutes remaining when Dickenson lashed home from just inside the area, after Porter had done well to set him up.