Substitute Harry Anderson’s 69th-minute goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Colchester at Cheltenham and keep their play-off hopes alive.

Anderson struck from close range after Ellis Iandolo’s cross from the left and the result extended the in-form U’s’ unbeaten run to 11.

Ethan Williams hit the woodwork with a free-kick for Cheltenham after 15 minutes and the home side had penalty appeals waved away after Darragh Power went down in the box in the 41st minute.

Jordan Thomas could not finish after a cross from Val Adedokun fell to him in the box, but Colchester were close to opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time when Joe Day blocked well from Iandolo.

Day denied John-Kymani Gordon with his feet 10 minutes into the second half, but was helpless to stop Anderson giving Colchester the lead.

A low shot from Ethon Archer was comfortably saved by Matt Macey diving to his left in the 77th minute as Cheltenham suffered only a second defeat in 13 home league games, while Colchester are now within four points of the top seven.