Kurtis Gurthrie scored a hat-trick as Colchester United's electric form continued this afternoon with a 4-1 victory over high-flying Carlisle United at a vibrant Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Chris Porter also netted, as the U's chalked up five successive league wins for the first time since the 2005-06 promotion-winning season.

John McGreal's side have now gone eight matches unbeaten in League Two, following another excellent display in what was a hugely entertaining contest.

Colchester started well and took an 11th-minute lead through Porter, who headed in his eighth goal of the season from Brennan Dickenson’s accurate cross.

Carlisle keeper Mark Gillespie parried away Craig Slater’s powerful effort a few minutes later but the visitors began to warm to the task after that.

Jason Kennedy blasted well over from the edge of the area following Nicky Adams’ short free-kick and Jabo Ibehre’s header was easily saved by U’s keeper Sam Walker, before Charlie Wyke fired a low shot across goal after being fed by Ibehre in the area.

Carlisle were back on level terms just before the half hour when defender Shaun Brisley’s header looped past Walker and into the net following a deep Macauley Gillesphey cross to the far post.

The equaliser had been coming but Colchester responded well and restored their lead, five minutes later.

After the impressive Slater had delivered a delicious cross from the left, Carlisle failed to clear their lines in the area and Guthrie steadied himself before curling a delightful shot past the helpless Gillespie.

Colchester received a scare five minutes before the break when Kennedy had the ball in the net but the effort was ruled out for offside after Walker had brilliantly foiled both Brisley and Nicky Adams in quick succession.

And another good chance went begging for Carlisle a minute4 later when former U's striker Ibehre fired wide under pressure from Kennedy’s flick on.

Colchester were rather fortunate to go in at half-time ahead but they extended their advantage, with the second half only five minutes old.

Slater’s low cross from the right was cleverly left by Porter and Guthrie blasted home into centre of the net for his second of the game and his eighth goal of the season.

Carlisle looked for an immediate response and Charlie Wyke fired a low cross-shot inches wide of the far post, after finding room in the area.

But Guthrie, looking for a hat-trick and Porter both headed narrowly wide in the space of a minute for Colchester, who still looked dangerous going forward.

Guthrie came agonisingly close to grabbing his third goal when his fierce close-range effort crashed against the crossbar from Richard Brindley's assist.

Guthrie had another chance with a minute remaining when he found himself through, only for Gillespie to rush out and clear the danger from outside his area.

And Guthrie eventually got his hat-trick in stoppage-time, tapping into an empty net after Gillespie had saved Denny Johnstone's effort, as the in-form U's racked up yet another victory.