to cost the U's two points. This meant the U's remained four points from safety with a possible nine available. Despite the receding chances of League One survival, chairman Robbie Cowling publicly backed manager Tony Humes on 20 April, stating whether the club survive in League One for another season or not, Humes would remain in his role for 2015–16. Tom Lapslie signed a three-year contract extension on 23 April. Colchester made their final away trip of the season to Fleetwood Town on 25 April. The U's took the lead just after the break through George Moncur, but were pegged back on 65-minutes. Fleetwood then took the lead ten minutes later, and with results standing as they were, Colchester would be relegated. They scored an equaliser through Gavin Massey on 84-minutes, and three minutes later, Dion Sembie-Ferris was fouled in the penalty area. Chris Porter stepped up to convert the penalty and secure a crucial three points for his side, with the U's now two points from safety but with a game in hand over their relegation rivals. With an opportunity to lift themselves out of the relegation places with a win at home to Swindon on 28 April, Colchester had the best possible start when Jacob Murphy tapped in after just 37-seconds of their encounter. Colchester were made to pay for missed chances in the first-half however when Swindon equalised on 53-minutes. The home side pushed for a winner but settled for a 1–1 draw, leaving them 22nd in League One, one point from safety and relying on a final day win over Preston and other results working for them to survive the threat of relegation. May The final game of the 2014–15 season was to be played at the Community Stadium against Preston North End, who were second in League One and needing to match Milton Keynes Dons result against Yeovil Town to gain promotion to the Championship. Anything but a win against Preston would mean relegation for Colchester, while they needed to rely on other results working in their favour to survive. With so much riding on the game, the match was selected to be shown live on Sky Sports. In an end-to-end game, Colchester were under pressure from Preston but defended resolutely to keep the score at 0–0 at half-time. George Moncur was fouled in the penalty area by Preston goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, and Chris Porter