Fleetwood 2-3 Colchester United
Fleetwood Town’s final home game of the season ended in defeat following a frantic finale as Colchester United came from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory.George Moncur had given Colchester a 47th minute lead before Proctor and Ball turned the game on its head with the pair scoring their eighth goals of the season.
Ball assisted Proctor moments after coming off the bench before Proctor played in Ball to run clear to put Town in the ascendency.
With five minutes remaining, Gavin Massey cut in from the left to hit a shot that crept in at the back post, while Chris Porter scored from the penalty spot a minute later.
Graham Alexander recalled Jeff Hughes, Nick Haughton and Jamie Proctor to his side in place of Josh Morris, Gareth Evans and David Ball respectively.
The visitors, knowing relegation was a possibility, started the brighter with Massey and Porter both having early chances.
Jacob Murphy, on loan from Norwich City, and Porter again had clear sightings of goal, but neither scored.
Murphy could only find Chris Maxwell’s side netting with a low drive while Porter stabbed a low cross by Richard Brindley at the front post.
In between the Us’ efforts, Antoni Sarcevic almost opened the scoring following a bit of head tennis in the box only for Tom Eastman to hook his nodded attempt off the line.
With 26 minutes on the clock, Nick Haughton almost turned Colchester goalkeeper Sam Walker’s face the same colour as the Fleetwood jerseys with a 25-yard free-kick.
His effort dipped in front of the shot-stopper who flapped it away one way or another to spare his blushes.
The visitors’ threat came on the break with their pacey wide players Murphy and Massey working off target man Porter.
Both had chances past the half hour mark with Massey forcing Maxwell into a cat-like reflex save before Murphy struck a tame effort straight at the Welshman.
Two minutes after the half-time interval Maxwell was hapless to keeping the scores level, as Murphy flew down the left flank avoiding a number of challenges before cutting it back to Moncur to score.
Hughes looked to get Town back level moments after falling behind but saw his header from 18 yards out go straight into the arms of Walker.
The Irishman was again involved in Fleetwood’s next chance, playing in Ashley Hunter in the 56th minute who ran the length of the Colchester half but again saw his shot end in the arms of Walker.
Following a double substitution that saw Ball and Morris enter the field for Tyler Forbes and Ashley Hunter, Haughton tested Walker with another set-piece effort.
A minute later and the changes paid dividends. Morris went down the left, cut it across to Ball who first tested Walker before keeping the move alive by finding Proctor who turned before firing in.
Town completed the comeback with 16 minutes remaining, Proctor this time turning provider for strike partner Ball who kept his composure while bearing down on goal to slot it past the despairing Walker.
Haughton then made way for Evans two minutes later before Colchester pushed for a way back into the game.
Their equaliser came with five to play through Massey before Pond felled Sembie-Ferris giving Porter the chance to score from the spot.