Colchester caretaker manager Kit Symons put the skids under a startled Tranmere at Prenton Park.
Colchester shock Tranmere in seven-goal thriller
Colchester caretaker manager Kit Symons put the skids under a startled Tranmere as his side recorded only their second win of the season with a 4-3 victory at Prenton Park.
Mark Yeates set up David Perkins to net with an excellent curling left foot strike from just outside the box after only four minutes for United.
Skipper Antony Kay headed Rovers level from a Bas Savage cross on 12 minutes but three minutes later Yeates beat Danny Coyne with a stunning free kick into the corner from 25 yards.
Colchester went 3-1 ahead after 40 minutes. The impressive Yeates opened up the home defence with a great run and found Clive Platt who fired home on the turn from eight-yards.
They made it 4-1 two minutes after the re-start. Yeates had a big part to play before Johnnie Jackson hit home from the corner of the box.
United keeper Dean Gerken handed Tranmere a lifeline when he dropped a harmless Andy Taylor free kick over the line after 76 minutes.
Two minutes later it was 4-3 as Ryan Shotton found the target from 30 yards and United then had to defend desperately to secure all three points in a seven-goal thriller.
