The midfielder came off the bench with 11 minutes to go and within four minutes had scored twice, both being headers from right-wing Jon Taylor corners.

Earlier Salop had yet again made a disastrous start with Craig Eastmond giving form-side Colchester the lead after just three minutes with a 20-yard shot.

Town, for whom loan signings Jamie Proctor and Jeremy Helan made their debuts, struggled to test visiting keeper Mark Cousins with their final ball often lacking.

Just past the hour mark young Arsenal loanee Sanchez Watt doubled Colchester’s lead with a composed finish on the break.

Things looked bleak for Graham Turner’s men but thanks to Halls double they stayed marginally out of the relegation zone on goal difference and even could have won the game had Jon Taylor not spurned a last-minute chance.