WANDERERS’ Under-23s all-but secured a place in the play-offs with a 1-0 win against Colchester United at Leyland.

Connor Hall scored the only goal of the game – but David Lee’s side had plenty of chances to make the score-line more flattering as they returned to the top of the table with two matches left of the regular season.

Ex-Fulham Under-18s captain Ryheem Sheckleford started at right-back, and another three trialists appeared on the bench – Mylo Hall, an ex-West Brom midfielder, former West Ham utility man Korrey Henry and Billy Stratford, a young striker once on the books at Aldershot Town.

Wanderers made a fast start and could have gone ahead inside a minute when Jeff King was in thick of a goalmouth scramble – his shot eventually blocked by U’s keeper Dillon Barnes before Liam Morris blasted over from the edge of the box.

There was a touch of good fortune about the way the Whites seized the lead on 20 minutes, however, as Hall charged down a clearance from Barnes, the ball bouncing into the empty net for his 21st strike of the campaign.

It continued as one-way traffic as Hall and Luca Navarro both went close, and Under-18s graduate Dennis Politic swept a fine free kick narrowly wide of the post.

Just before the break a fine challenge from Cole Lonsdale denied U’s striker Ollie Sims an equalising goal. And the visitors went close again straight from the restart as William Wright blasted over from the edge of the box.

Lonsdale also got his body in the way of a De-Carrey Sherriff shot to preserve a clean sheet.

Colchester keeper Barnes remained the busiest man on the field, however, making two great reflex saves to deny Hall and Politic in quick succession.

Navarro also spurned a glorious chance after Politic had played him through on goal, lifting a shot just over the crossbar.

The U’s were clinging on towards the end of the game as a Harry Brockbank deflection whistled past the post and King had a shot cleared off the line.

Wanderers have away games at Ipswich Town and Birmingham City left to play and need just a point to mathematically assure themselves a place in the top two.

Finishing top would guarantee a semi-final at home against either Charlton Athletic or Ipswich.

Second place would mean a play-off against Crystal Palace, who have already booked top spot in the Southern section.