Peter Halmosi inspired a convincing 4-1 win for play-off hopefuls Plymouth against Championship basement club Colchester.

An own goal from Phil Ifil gave the Pilgrims a half-time lead, before second-half strikes from Jermaine Easter, Steven MacLean and Gary Sawyer sealed victory for Paul Sturrock's men.

Ifil diverted the ball home after jumping with Halmosi to reach Gary Teale's right-wing cross after 11 minutes.

Plymouth doubled their advantage in the 57th minute through Easter, who fired in from six yards out after a goal-mouth scramble.

The home side added another just three minutes later after Halmosi laid the ball off to MacLean who fired home from 18 yards out.

Kevin Lisbie grabbed a consolation for the visitors before Sawyer ensured the win for the Pilgrims in the 68th minute.

Colchester initially responded well after Plymouth had taken the lead, when Dean Hammond went close in the 17th minute with a header from 18 yards out that sailed narrowly over the bar.

But despite the threat of a Colchester fightback, the home side continued to press and in the 25th minute Halmosi was involved again, but his 18-yard effort was blocked by Kemal Izzet.

The Pilgrims continued to dominate and after 30 minutes Teale provided another good cross, but Easter headed over from 12 yards.

Easter was involved again in the 36th minute when his drilled effort from the edge of the penalty area was blocked by Chris Coyne.

The Us were limited to long-range efforts, with Scott Vernon having Colchester's first clear opportunity a minute later, but his shot from 18 yards out sailed over.

Johnnie Jackson managed the visitors' first shot on target a minute before half-time, but his speculative effort from 30 yards was comfortably saved by Pilgrims goalkeeper Luke McCormick.

Plymouth doubled their advantage in the 57th minute with Easter's first goal of 2008. Krisztian Timar and Halmosi both had shots blocked before the Easter managed to bundle the ball across the line from close range.

The home side added another just three minutes later after Halmosi laid off for MacLean who fired home from 18 yards out.

Colchester looked down and out, but Lisbie gave them hope in the 64th minute. Lisbie picked up the ball just inside the opposition half and ran at the Plymouth defence before beating McCormick from 18 yards out.

Plymouth struck again just four minutes later when Halmosi masterminded another set-piece. The inspirational midfielder rolled the ball off to on-loan Teale who whipped a cross in from the right wing, which was met by Sawyer who slotted home from six yards out.

Teams:

Plymouth McCormick, Connolly, Timar (Seip 80), Anderson, Sawyer, Teale (Clark 80), Abdou, Nalis, Halmosi, MacLean (Fallon 72), Easter.

Subs Not Used: Wotton, Mackie.

Booked: Timar.

Goals: Ifil 11 og, Easter 57, MacLean 60, Sawyer 68.

Colchester Gerken, Ifil, Virgo, Coyne, Balogh, Hammond, Izzet, Jackson, Kevin McLeod (Platt 64), Vernon (Izale McLeod 65), Lisbie, Izale McLeod (Elito 77).

Subs Not Used: Bankole, Watson.

Booked: Balogh, Ifil.

Goals: Lisbie 64.

Att: 11,562

Ref: Mike Russell (Hertfordshire).