Coventry hit back with five second-half goals to ease their relegation fears against a Colchester side already down to League One for next season.

Goals from Leon best, Daniel Fox, Michael Doyle and two penalties from Elliott Ward were enough to give the Sky Blues all three points to ease the worries of relegation for Chris Coleman's men.

Colchester's Scott Vernon fired home from six yards in the 16th minute from a Kevin Lisbie cross to give Colchester the lead.

But Coventry hit back with five second-half goals, started by Best's long-range effort two minutes after the break which beat keeper Dean Gerken.

Two minutes later Fox drilled a curled shot beyond the outreaching arms of the U's keeper. A Doyle effort and a Ward brace completed the rout.

The U's started the day having picked up just one win in their last 11 Coca-Cola Championship games while Coventry had won just once in their last six matches.

The Sky Blues threatened inside the opening minute when Michael Mifsud's angled shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.

Colchester's first chance came in the 14th minute when Dean Hammond's curling corner dipped under the crossbar only for it to be cleared by Michael Hughes.

But the U's were ahead just two minutes later when Lisbie's pass found Vernon whose initial shot was saved by the left leg of Coventry goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but his follow-up was pummelled into the back of the Sky Blues' net.

The lively Fox continued to push for an equaliser for Coventry when his left-footed shot tested keeper Gerken only for his effort to be cleared by midfielder Karl Duguid.

The U's lead lasted just three minutes after the break when a fantastic solo effort from 25 yards out by Best beat Gerken.

Before Colchester had time to regroup, the impressive Fox curled an effort from just outside the area into the top-left corner.

Coventry keeper Schmeichel was then forced into action when goalscorer Vernon steered his left-footed effort wide of the right post.

The Sky Blues took the lead in the 76th minute when Duguid fouled the lively Mifsud in the area and the resulting penalty was slotted home by Ward.

Just two minutes later Doyle's close-range tap-in from inside the box found the back of the net.

In the 90th minute Ward completed the rout from the penalty spot.

Chris Coyne fouled Zavon Hines in the area and Ward coolly placed the resulting penalty into the bottom-left corner.

Teams:

Colchester Gerken, Ifil, Coyne, Balogh,White (Kevin McLeod 71), Duguid, Hammond, Jackson, Elito,Lisbie, Vernon.

Subs Not Used: Bankole, Platt, Izzet, Virgo.

Booked: Coyne.

Goals: Vernon 17.

Coventry Schmeichel, Fox, Ward, Dann, Osbourne (Hall 90),Doyle, Michael Hughes, Stephen Hughes, Mifsud, Best (Hines 87),Tabb.

Subs Not Used: Marshall, Gray, Thornton.

Booked: Best, Doyle.

Goals: Best 48, Fox 51, Ward 78 pen, Doyle 80, Ward 90 pen.

Att: 5,836

Ref: Colin Webster (Tyne & Wear).