FORMER Ipswich Town striker Jordan Rhodes struck twice as his Blackburn Rovers side beat Ipswich 2-0, at Ewood Park.
Rhodes converted a 12th minute penalty, before striking four minutes later, to continue his good goal-scoring form, which sends Town down to 12th in the Skybet Championship.
Colchester fell to 10th in the Skybet League One, after a 1-0 defeat away at Bury, courtesy of Leon Clarke's ninth goal of the season for the hosts.
The result was United's first defeat in a month. Their last defeat came at Northampton in the Paint Trophy, in which the U's lost 3-2.
Colchester's Essex rivals, Southend, are a point behind the U's, in 11th position. The Blues were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Burton Albion.
Defender Luke Prosser was credited with the own goal which saw the Blues to their first defeat in four games.
Braintree bounced back from their 1-0 defeat at home to Guiseley, as they beat managerless Eastleigh 2-0, at the Silverlake Stadium.
Kenny Davis converted a 16th minute penalty, following Harding's foul. Michael Cheek doubled the Iron's advantage after the hour mark.
AFC Sudbury have a second chance to progress in the FA Trophy, after the Yellows drew 1-1 away at Barton Rovers, to see them earn a replay at home on Tuesday.
Ryan Henshaw put the Yellows ahead after 14 minutes, before Jason Blackett equalised for the hosts, just shy of the half-hour mark.
Charlie Gilbert scored five times, as AFC Sudbury Reserves thrashed Needham Market Reserves 8-1 in the Thurlow Nunn First Division.
Gilbert scored twice in the first half, and a further three times in the second period, along with goals from Ross Henry, Ollie Peters and Bradley Beevis.
Rhodes converted a 12th minute penalty, before striking four minutes later, to continue his good goal-scoring form, which sends Town down to 12th in the Skybet Championship.
Colchester fell to 10th in the Skybet League One, after a 1-0 defeat away at Bury, courtesy of Leon Clarke's ninth goal of the season for the hosts.
The result was United's first defeat in a month. Their last defeat came at Northampton in the Paint Trophy, in which the U's lost 3-2.
Colchester's Essex rivals, Southend, are a point behind the U's, in 11th position. The Blues were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Burton Albion.
Defender Luke Prosser was credited with the own goal which saw the Blues to their first defeat in four games.
Braintree bounced back from their 1-0 defeat at home to Guiseley, as they beat managerless Eastleigh 2-0, at the Silverlake Stadium.
Kenny Davis converted a 16th minute penalty, following Harding's foul. Michael Cheek doubled the Iron's advantage after the hour mark.
AFC Sudbury have a second chance to progress in the FA Trophy, after the Yellows drew 1-1 away at Barton Rovers, to see them earn a replay at home on Tuesday.
Ryan Henshaw put the Yellows ahead after 14 minutes, before Jason Blackett equalised for the hosts, just shy of the half-hour mark.
Charlie Gilbert scored five times, as AFC Sudbury Reserves thrashed Needham Market Reserves 8-1 in the Thurlow Nunn First Division.
Gilbert scored twice in the first half, and a further three times in the second period, along with goals from Ross Henry, Ollie Peters and Bradley Beevis.