Colchester Utd 4 Carlisle Utd 1: Carlisle United fell to their heaviest defeat of the season as Kurtis Guthrie punished some poor defending with a Colchester hat-trick.

The home striker could have had more as the Blues' flaws at the back were ruthlessly exposed in Essex.

Chris Porter headed the in-form U's in front before Shaun Brisley levelled with a looping header.

But Guthrie quickly restored the lead for John McGreal's side before half-time.

The striker then hammered a third early in the second half before slotting home for his treble in injury-time.

It was the first time promotion-chasing Carlisle have conceded four in the league this season as they were opened up far too easily.

It also extended their long wait for a clean sheet, which dates back to early October.

United's side included Mark Ellis for the first time in the league since late October, but he was unable to stop the in-form hosts in their tracks.

They took the lead on 11 minutes when Brennan Dickenson's cross picked out Porter who buried a commanding header.

Carlisle responded with Jabo Ibehre having a header saved and Jason Kennedy almost reaching a Charlie Wyke cross, before Brisley rose at the back post to head the leveller.

But United then fell away again as Guthrie found space to hammer a shot past Mark Gillespie.

Carlisle then had a goal disallowed five minutes before the break, as Kennedy was deemed offside as he turned in Adams' drilled delivery.

But hopes of a second fightback were dashed on 49 minutes when Porter dummied a cross into Guthrie's path and the striker took advantage of space to smash home.

Wyke went close at the other end and Kennedy then volleyed over.

But Colchester could have added further goals as Porter missed a good headed chance and Guthrie hit the crossbar.

Despite the introduction of Alex McQueen, Shaun Miller and Kevin Wright from the bench, Carlisle's attacking threat petered out as the second half went on.

And they were punished a fourth time in the 95th minute as Brisley and Gillespie collided before the keeper saved a Denny Johnstone shot into Guthrie's path, and the 23-year-old slotted home.

Carlisle were without Michael Raynes to illness as he joined longer-term absentees Danny Grainger and Mike Jones on the sidelines.

Along with Ellis, Jamie Devitt and Ibehre were handed starts at the expense of Reggie Lambe and Shaun Miller.

Luke Joyce captained the side in the absence of regular skipper Grainger and vice-captain Raynes.

Joe McKee was back in the squad and among the subs having recovered from a hamstring injury.

But Russell Penn was absent with the same virus that sidelined Raynes.

Carlisle remained third in their table with none of their other promotion rivals in action today.

They remain four points above fourth-placed Portsmouth but have now played a game more than some of the chasing pack.

Colchester United: Walker, Eastman, Kent, Elokobi, Brindley (Wright 90), Dickenson, Lapslie, Garvan, Slater (Fosu 89), Guthrie, Porter (Johnstone 87). Not used: Barnes, Vincent-Young, Wynter, Doyley.

Carlisle: Gillespie, T Miller (McQueen 57), Gillesphey (Wright 82), Brisley, Ellis, Joyce (S Miller 76), Kennedy, Adams, Devitt, Ibehre, Wyke. Not used: Crocombe, Asamoah, McKee, Lambe.