Colchester United 0 Blackpool 2

Last updated : 29 December 2007 By The Seasider

Vernon had been an hero at Layer Road while on loan from Blackpool in the 2005-2006 season, when scoring a vital winner at Bournemouth to help the Essex club to promotion to the Championship.

But the boot was very much on the other foot this time as Vernon, in the tangerine colours of Blackpool, swooped with two goals in the first half to pave the way for a third away win of the season.

Colchester were never at the races and Vernon broke the deadlock after 26 minutes, rifling a shot into the roof of the net after defender Adam Virgo had allowed Gary Taylor-Fletcher to square into the box.

It was only Vernon's third goal of the season but it took him just ten minutes to add the fourth as he doubled Blackpool's lead from close in. Celtic loanee Virgo was again at fault as striker Andy Morrell nipped in to cross for Vernon to stab home via the far post.

That second goal really killed off Colchester who never really looked like finding a way back in to this game.

Mark Yeates was again their star man, testing Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka with a number of shots from long-range including an early free kick that the visiting keeper spilled, only for the ball to graze the post and drift wide for a corner.

That was the closest that the hosts came to a goal as Blackpool defended comfortably during a low key second half.

While Blackpool are going great guns in their first season in the Championship, Colchester remain rooted to the bottom and are staring relegation in the face.

The U's have now won just one of their last 14 games, mustering just eight points from a possible 42 during their current lean spell.