Colchester United have survived relegation to League Two after beating Preston North End 1-0 in their League One clash at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, consigning the Lilywhites to the playoffs in the process.
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The game began with both teams eager to impose themselves, though Preston were first to threaten when Joe Garner's through ball to Jermaine Beckford was thwarted by the linesman's offside call.
Simon Grayson's charges soon got the better of their opponents, but were nearly caught out when Richard Brindley's effort had to be palmed away by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
At the other end, John Welsh's dipping shot from the edge of the box just after the half-hour mark failed to trouble Sam Walker.
Preston continued to push forward, but were unable to break the deadlock against their opponents by the half-time whistle.
The Lilywhites began the second half brightly as a Johnson through ball to Beckford had to be denied by a last-ditch tackle, but Colchester countered with a Chris Porter header that flew over the bar.
Johnstone then fouled George Moncur in the Preston box to gift the O's a penalty just before the hour, but Porter blasted his spot kick over.
The visitors kept plugging away in a desperate bid to drag themselves back into automatic promotion contention, but ultimately they were undone with eight minutes to go when Porter laid the ball off to Moncur, who fired home.
Combined with defeats for Notts County, Crewe Alexandra and Crawley Town and a draw for Leyton Orient, the result ensured that Colchester end the season 19th in League One.
Meanwhile defeat for Preston, combined with MK Dons's 5-1 win against Yeovil Town, sees them finish the season in third place and having to negotiate the playoff lottery which has been so cruel to them over the years.
Giuseppe Labellarte
