a Jacob Murphy goal. Having started in the game, Rhys Healey was recalled from his season long loan by Cardiff on 19 March. Meanwhile, young midfielder Conor Hubble was released by the club. On 21 March, Colchester drew 2–2 with Gillingham. George Moncur broke the deadlock on 62-minutes, but Max Ehmer levelled eight-minutes from full-time. Chris Porter scored five minutes later to put the U's back in front, but after four minutes of stoppage time, Matthew Briggs was sent off for a second bookable offence, after which Gillingham scored a late equaliser through Doug Loft. Ipswich recalled Elliott Hewitt from his loan with the club on 26 March. To replace the departing Hewitt, Humes drafted in further defensive cover, signing Rotherham United's right-back Richard Brindley on loan until the end of the season. April On 2 April, Rhys Healey rejoined Colchester from Cardiff on loan until the end of the season. Colchester battled to an important 2–1 win over Port Vale on 3 April courtesy of George Moncur and Jacob Murphy goals. Despite the victory, Colchester remained four points from safety with seven games remaining. Karleigh Osborne, an unused substitute in the win, was then recalled by his parent club Bristol City after making four appearances until a hamstring injury ruled him out of action. Colchester earned their first back-to-back victories of the season on 6 April when they beat play-off chasing Barnsley 3–1 at the Community Stadium. Barnsley took a 40th-minute lead through George Waring, but after the break the U's scored three unanswered goals in 24 minutes. Gavin Massey levelled on 62-minutes, before turning provider to Jabob Murphy on 80-minutes. Six minutes later, George Moncur's third goal in as many games sealed an important win and reduced the gap to safety to just two points. The U's suffered two consecutive away defeats, first 1–0 to Coventry City on 11 April, and then a humiliating 6–0 thrashing by Chesterfield on 14 April, with the hosts scoring three in each half. On 18 April, Colchester hosted Scunthorpe United. Scunthorpe took a 30th-minute lead, and they held on until the 81st-minute when Tom Eastman levelled with his first goal of the season. Chris Porter then made it 2–1 to the home side as they looked to close the gap on the sides above them in the table, but Hakeeb Adelakun scored with a deflected effort after two minutes of injury time