A late goal from top scorer Michael Mifsud gave the Sky Blues a morale boosting victory over Colchester at the Ricoh Arena.

The Maltese striker struck in the 82^nd minute as Iain Dowie's men ended a stuttering October in the Championship on a high.

City dominated possession throughout but struggled to apply the finish to a number of chances until Mifsud struck from the edge of the area.

Veteran former England striker Teddy Sheringham was sent off in stoppage time for the visitors, who went closest when Kevin Lisbie was denied by Andy Marshall in the second-half.

Arjan de Zeeuw, one of three changes to the side which were beaten 3-0 by league leaders Watford in midweek, headed a Michael Doyle cross wide early on while Colchester goalkeeper Aidan Davison rushed out of his goal to save at the feet of Leon Best as City set about putting a disappointing week behind them from the outset.

A header from Clive Platt at the other end was well held by Andy Marshall before the home 'keeper was almost left red faced as a Danny Granville cross almost looped over him, but Marshall adjusted well to push the ball away from danger.

The closest the Sky Blues came to breaking the deadlock arrived midway through the half when Davison lost the ball in the area and a goalmouth scramble ensued, but neither Best or Kevin Kyle could force the ball home.

A weak Mifsud shot which was comfortably gathered by Davison aside, action at either ends of the pitch was at a premium at the start of the second-half.

That was until the introduction of substitutes Dele Adebola and Robbie Simpson, with the latter seeing a goal-bound header from a Doyle corner hacked off the line by Kem Izzet.

Adebola then flashed a header over the bar before a dubious offside flag denied Mifsud when through on goal.

But Colchester almost snatched a goal with their first real effort of the second-half on 78 minutes when Lisbie found space to shoot in the area only for Marshall to spread himself well and block the striker's powerful drive at his near post.

The elusive opener finally arrived eight minutes from time though - and it went the way of the home side.

Mifsud picked up the ball 35-yards from goal and cleverly turned away from his man to open up space before unleashing a low shot past Davison which ricocheted off defender Pat Baldwin before finding the net via the inside of the post.

Good saves from Davison then kept out Adebola and Mifsud while JulianGray fired over as City finished strongly and the U's were reduced to 10-men in stoppage time when substitute Teddy Sheringham was given a straight red card for an elbow on Doyle.