Alex Nicholls gives Barnet's survival hopes a boost with winner at Colchester

Barnet gave their League Two survival hopes a huge boost after they won 1-0 at Colchester United.Alex Nicholls' second-half strike proved enough to give the Bees three precious points at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, denting the U's play-off hopes.Ryan Watson fired wide for Barnet early on and Mikael Mandron went close for Colchester in similar fashion, before Nicholls wasted a gilt-edged chance for the visitors in the 19th minute, blazing over unmarked from 10 yards.Colchester twice came close to taking the lead late in the first half, with Brandon Comley's excellent 25-yard strike flashing inches wide of the upright and Barnet keeper George Legg alert enough to foil Courtney Senior in the area.Colchester changed their formation at the break in a bid to make a breakthrough but it was the Bees who scored the winner just after the hour mark through Nicholls, who controlled and fired low past Sam Walker from close range after John Akinde had picked him out in the penalty area.