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Two goals from Doug Loft saw Port Vale revive their fading play-off hopes at the expense of a Colchester side playing their first game for 24 days.

Loft scored his sixth goal of the season when he swept in a low left-foot shot after 13 minutes.

His second came against the run of play early in the second half, a right-foot effort from 16 yards.

Vale were forced to soak up heavy pressure late on, with U's substitute Freddie Sears going close three times.