Chris Iwelumo ripped the Tigers apart at Layer Road this evening, bagging four goals as City were thrashed 5-1 at Colchester United.

City had taken an early lead through Nicky Forster, but a poor second half display condemned them to their heaviest defeat of the season.

The City side showed just one change from the one that drew at Norwich City on Saturday.

John Welsh was brought into the midfield to replace Ian Ashbee. That meant Danny Coles took over the captain's armband and Andy Dawson came into the squad as a substitute.

Manager Phil Parkinson received a muted reception from the Colchester fans as he made his first return to Layer Road.

Colchester had most of the early play but it was the Tigers that took the lead on 16 minutes.

Damien Delaney knocked a deep ball into the box for Craig Fagan to head back across goal. Colchester keeper Aidan Davison failed to come for the ball, allowing Nicky Forster [pictured] to nip in and grab his first goal for the club.

But the lead lasted just two minutes. City conceded a free kick and when Johnnie Jackson crossed, Chris Iwelumo headed home.

City had the chance to retake the lead on 22 minutes when Fagan played him through, but a poor first touch allowed Wayne Brown to make a tackle.

The Tigers then won a corner, but when David Livermore's delivery was cleared to Welsh on the edge of the area, he fired a shot high and wide.

Colchester almost went in front shortly after when a poor punch from Boaz Myhill went straight up in the air, but the keeper recovered to tip Kem Izzet's header over the bar.

Delaney was booked after 29 minutes when he clattered into Greg Halford out wide. Myhill did well to claim the resulting free kick.

Jamie Cureton tried his luck from distance shortly before half time, but Myhill saved easily.

Half Time: Colchester 1-1 Tigers

The first main action of the second half saw the referee award a penalty to Colchester when Iwelumo was caught between a sandwich of defenders.

Iwelumo stepped up to take and confidently fired the ball into the top corner of the net.

Colchester went further ahead on 57 minutes. Michael Turner missed his kick on the edge of the area and allowed Cureton to latch onto the ball before coolly slotting home past Myhill.

That prompted a double change for City with Nick Barmby [pictured] and Ryan France replacing Forster and Welsh.

Barmby had a great chance to get the Tigers back in the game on 65 minutes, but he headed over from Sam Ricketts' cross.

A minute later the game was over. Myhill did well to save from Izzet, but Iwelumo managed to turn the rebound home to complete his hat trick.

Barmby did find the back of the net with a header on 69 minutes, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

A slick passing move from the home side almost saw them extend their lead but Myhill saved before Dean Marney was booked for a rash challenge.

Iwelumo bagged his fourth goal of the game in the 79th minute as the ball whizzed around the City box as if it was in a pinball machine. First Turner cleared off the line, then Myhill saved before Iwelumo finally fired home.

Tigers (4-5-1) Boaz Myhill; Sam Ricketts, Danny Coles, Michael Turner, Damien Delaney; Craig Fagan, Dean Marney, John Welsh (France 59), David Livermore, Stuart Elliott; Nicky Forster (Barmby 59).

Subs: Matt Duke, Andy Dawson, Ryan France, Nick Barmby, Stephen McPhee.

Bookings: Delaney 30, Elliott 53, Marney 77

Colchester United: Aidan Davidson, Greg Halford, Johnnie Jackson, Wayne Brown, Karl Duguid, Jamie Cureton (Ephraim 85), Kem Izzet, Chris Iwelumo (Guy 85), Pat Baldwin, George Elokobi, Kevin McLeod (Watson 74).

Subs: Dean Gerken, John White, Kevin Watson, Jamie Guy, Hogan Ephraim.

This was the Tigers heaviest league defeat since a 1-5 reverse at Torquay United on 14 February 1998.

Chris Iwelumo became the first player to score four goals in a game against the Tigers since Lee Glover of Rotherham United on 28 December 1997.