COLCHESTER United's League Two survival battle will go down to the final day after they were thrashed 4-1 at home by in-form Doncaster Rovers tonight.

The U's remain three points above the drop zone with one game remaining, after losing heavily to Rovers, who chalked up a tenth successive win.

It was a bad night for Colchester, whose goal difference was damaged as they head into their final game with Crewe Alexandra on Saturday still needing a point to be sure of safety.

The U's have a four-goal better goal difference than Sutton United, who are three points behind and visit play-off chasing MK Dons on Saturday.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley made one change to his starting line-up for the U’s penultimate game of the season.

John Akinde came back into the side up front in place of Jayden Richardson, who dropped to the bench.

Colchester were aiming to make a quick start and they got the best possible start when they took a ninth-minute lead.

Jayden Fevrier converted at the far post for his fourth goal of the season, after Tom Hopper had got behind the Doncaster defence and delivered a low cross.

But the lead was short-lived, as Rovers responded with the kind of form that has lifted them into play-off contention.

The visitors were level in the 14th minute when Luke Molyneux collected Jamie Sterry’s short free-kick midway inside the U’s half and let fly with a low left-foot shot from 25 yards that sailed past Sam Hornby and into the corner.

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And eight minutes later, Colchester were behind when Harrison Biggins swept home from close range after Molyneux had got past Ellis Iandolo and picked him out in the area.

It was a very open contest and the U’s responded well to the setback, with Doncaster goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala saving John Akinde’s close-range attempt, after Jay Mingi had got to the byline and crossed.

And at the other end, Sterry’s low shot from 20 yards was well held by Sam Horby, as Doncaster pushed for a third goal.

Colchester went in at the break behind but they enjoyed plenty of possession after half-time, as they went in search of a vital equaliser.

The second half was a more stable affair, with the U's enjoying plenty of possession as they went in search of a vital equaliser.

Clearcut chances were at a premium for either side after the break but Colchester stayed in the game until Doncaster made it 3-1, in the 76th minute.

After Colchester had given the ball away in their own half to concede a needless free-kick, Tom Anderson converted at the near post with a shot that squirmed past Hornby, after Hakeeb Adelakun had floated the ball into his path from a short set piece.

And it was 4-1 in the 84th minute when Joe Ironside tapped in from close range, after James Maxwell's shot had been tipped onto a post by the diving Hornby.

That was the way it stayed, as Colchester's relegation battle went down to the final day.

MATCH FACTS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Hornby, Mingi, Harbottle, Hall, Iandolo, Read, Chilvers, Fevrier (sub Kelleher, 87), McGeehan, Hopper, Akinde (sub Ihionvien, 80).

Subs (not used): Richardson, Wilkinson, Cooper, Jay, Goodman.

Doncaster Rovers: Lo-Tutala, Sterry, Maxwell, Anderson, Wood, Molyneux (sub Hurst, 84), Biggins, Bailey, Ironside (sub Waters, 90), Craig (sub Rowe, 77), Adelakun.

Subs (not used): Jones, Olowu, Broadbent, Westbrooke.

Goals: Colchester: Fevrier (9). Doncaster: Molyneux (14), Biggins (22), Anderson (76), Ironside (84).

Bookings: Colchester: Iandolo (foul, 13), Harbottle (foul, 75). Doncaster: Sterry (foul, 17), Ironside (foul, 45), Biggins (foul, 73).

Red card: None.

Referee: Paul Howard.

Attendance: 4,041 (589 Doncaster fans).