Colchester extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches with a 2-0 win over Gillingham.

The Us took a sixth-minute lead through Lyle Taylor, who fired in his eighth goal of the season from close range after Gills goalkeeper Glenn Morris had saved Jack Payne’s shot.

Morris denied Owura Edwards before the hosts had a penalty appeal rejected when Payne tumbled under Ethan Coleman’s challenge in the area.

Taylor’s excellent curled effort hit the top of the crossbar before Gillingham had their best chance of the first half when Jack Nolan’s shot was parried away by Colchester goalkeeper Matt Macey.

Payne scuffed a chance wide for Colchester just after the break but Gillingham improved in the second half and substitute Bradley Dack saw his 25-yard free-kick saved by Macey, who also made an excellent save to tip away Robbie McKenzie’s well-struck effort.

But substitute John-Kymani Gordon sealed Colchester’s win in the 86th minute, firing in from the edge of the area after Tom Hopper had been denied following a Gillingham defensive error.