Jack Payne hits hat-trick as Colchester boost play-off bid with win over Barnet

Jack Payne scored a second-half hat-trick as Colchester boosted their League Two play-off hopes with a 4-1 home win over Barnet.

Colchester took a 39th-minute lead through Arthur Read, who collected Rob Hunt’s pass and fired past goalkeeper Cieran Slicker from the edge of the box.

However, their advantage was short-lived as, in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Nnamdi Ofoborh slotted home from close range after Kabongo Tshimanga had dispossessed Harvey Araujo near the area and delivered a cross.

But Colchester regained their lead in the 75th minute through Payne, who scored from the spot after substitute Jaden Williams had been fouled by Danny Collinge.

Payne scored again two minutes later when he collected Teddy Bishop’s pass and calmly lifted the ball over the advancing Slicker and into the net.

He completed his impressive hat-trick in the fourth minute of stoppage time when he latched onto Williams’ pass to secure an emphatic victory.