|COLCHESTER UNITED|

|Third Division Play-offs Semi-final (lst leg)|

|(h) Sunday May 10|

|(a) Wednesday May 13 (2nd leg)|.

MANAGER: Steve Wignall A former Colchester player, Wignall became manager in January 1995 when George Burley moved to take charge at Ipswich. Despite limited financial resources, he has regularly managed to keep United among the play-off contenders. As a player with Colchester, Wignall made 291 appearances, followed by spells with Brentford and Aldershot, and after the Shots went out of the league, Wignall became a manager for the first time when the new Aldershot club was formed, helping them gain promotion.

FORM: Colchester will be eager to make a quick return to Wembley, after contesting the Auto Windscreens Shield final there last season, losing 4-3 to Carlisle on penalties, following a goalless draw. After surging up the table to become play-off contenders, United faltered briefly, but a 1-0 win at relegated Doncaster on Saturday, saw them finish fourth.

|PLAYER TO WATCH|

Mark Sale (striker): At 6ft 3in, one of the tallest players in the league, Sale invariably commands attention with his all-round skills. A great target man, with his aerial power, he also provides attacking continuity with his deft touches. Signed from Mansfield at the end of last season.

Paul Abrahams (striker): A golden goal by Abrahams in a 3-0 second leg win over a Peterborough side that included Ken Charlery, sent Colchester through to the Auto Windscreen final last season. A fast-raiding winger, he was the target of several clubs, and had a brief spell with Brentford, before returning to Layer Road.

Richard Wilkins (midfield): Team captain, Wilkins is in his second spell with Colchester, having switched to Cambridge United when the Essex club were relegated in 1990. He rejoined from Hereford at the start of last season.

Neil Gregory (striker): Signed by United from Ipswich for a club record fee of £50,000 on transfer deadline day, after his loan spell had been extended. Gregory's goals have been a key factor in the climb to fourth spot.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.