Tranmere's League Two survival hopes took a massive blow as Colchester United claimed a 1-0 win at Prenton Park, with Jack Payne's 75th-minute strike proving the difference between the sides.
The result ended a run of five games without a win for Colchester and inflicted a fourth straight defeat on struggling Rovers, who are now 10 matches without victory.
Early Warning at Prenton Park
The visitors almost opened the scoring in the fifth minute, Payne flashing his shot across the face of goal from a narrow angle to signal Colchester's intent.