 Colchester went 1–0 ahead in the 66th minute from a David Greene goal, but Northampton struck back one minute later through Dave Martin.Paul Buckle reinstated the U's advantage 15 minutes from the full-time whistle to put his side into the area final.In the first leg of the area final against Peterborough United on 11 March, Colchester fell to a 2–0 defeat at London Road, but in the return leg at Layer Road on 18 March, Colchester scored two goals, one from Chris Fry in the first half and one from Paul Buckle in the second-half, to send the game to extra time.