Albion roar with rapid-fire double
West Bromwich Albion moved into second place last night after becoming the first side to register a win at Colchester United's Layer Road ground since August.
Colchester, the surprise play-off hopefuls had taken 38 from a possible 48 points prior to the visit of Albion, but second half goals inside a minute from Paul McShane and Diomansy Kamara ensured the West Midlands side remain on course for an automatic return to the top flight.
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Five minutes after the restart, Albion made their extra quality count, although the goal was decidedly scrappy when McShane bundled Robert Koren's corner over the line.
A minute later Tony Mowbray's side were two ahead and this time there was nothing ugly about the goal. Koren was once again the provider, feeding Kamara who weaved into the box before slotting a shot past Dean Gerken.
Colchester's form ensured they would not go down without a fight and Johnnie Jackson ensured a nervy finish, heading home Kevin Watson's flicked-on corner on 55 minutes.
Cureton then spurned two decent late chances to level the score. Mowbray had made two changes from the hard fought point at home to Southampton at the weekend bringing in John Hartson for Kevin Phillips, who was given the night off, while Jason Koumas dropped to the bench with Darren Carter drafted into central midfield.
Albion probed and pressed with the pace of Kamara looking a likely avenue for the visitors to break the deadlock.
Midfielder Richard Chaplow was also keen to get in on the act, flashing two shots just wide, while Darren Carter struck the post direct from a corner just before the half hour mark.
Colchester opted to go long, although with the giant Chris Iwelumo leading the line it is a method which has served them well so far this season, especially with Cureton buzzing around his strike partner.
It fell to Cureton to register Colchester's first meaningful attempt on goal, his 33rd minute shot close enough to have Dean Kiely scrabbling across his line. Then Jackson forced the keeper into a comfortable save.
