Wolverhampton Wanderers are on course to preserving their spot at the top of League One after securing a 3-0 half-time lead over Colchester United at Molineux.
Wolves boss Kenny Jackett could hardly have wished for a better start after a Michael Jacobs cross flew past goalkeeper Sam Walker and nestled in the far corner after two minutes.
James Henry, who has bagged a goal in each of his previous two outings, should have scored for a third successive fixture but, after being played through on goal, Walker saved the 24-year-old's effort.
Jackett's troops doubled their advantage shortly before the half-hour mark through David Edwards, who capitalised on a loose backpass from Ryan Dickson before rounding the helpless Walker and tapping into an empty net.
Henry added a third in the dying stages of the half by firing home the rebound after Leon Clarke's initial effort was saved.