ANDY Gray struck twice to record Burnley's first away win of the season.
Alan Mahon put the Clarets in the driving seat at Layer Road by marking his first league start of the season with a goal, volleying Michael Duff's right wing cross beyond goalkeeper Dean Gerken on 15 minutes.
Gray added a second with another volley following a driving right-wing raid from which Wade Elliott fired in the delivery.
Colchester pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time when George Elokobi burst down the left and Kevin Lisbie headed in his centre.
Gray restored the Clarets' two-goal cushion with a penalty for his fifth goal in five games, sending Gerken the wrong way after chris McCann had won the spot kick.
Substitute Adam Virgo made it 3-2 with a header with two minutes of normal time.
But Burnley held out for the SEVEN minutes of stoppage time to earn three points.
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