After shipping four largely soft tries to trail 25-10 at halftime, Colchester hit back with 17 unanswered points, captain Dan Whiteman sparking celebrations with the converted try to win it deep in added time.

“One to 18, the boys were all fantastic”, said head coach Ben Scully, but he reserved particular praise for the forwards.

“To be in a scrum which was under the cosh in the first half and to scrummage so well in the second half was outstanding”.

With Old Habs’ ground waterlogged the match was moved to Harpenden’s artificial pitch, a strong, bitterly cold wind making kicking a challenge.

An old-school club who pride themselves on not training between matches, Old Habs have been on fire this season and were far superior in the first half.

Still, it was Colchester who scored the opening try. David Higgins kicked a penalty against the wind to within 15 metres and the resulting line-out and forwards’ drive saw hooker Sam Butler touch down.

But Old Habs hit back with three quick tries, all of which owed something to Colchester mistakes.

A botched re-start gather led to open-side George Seabrook scoring the first, wing Conor Michaels got the second after Colchester conceded a scrum penalty and number 8 James Clark grabbed the third.

But it was the bonus point try which really had the Colchester coaches fuming as centre Harry Briffitt ran to the line without a hand laid on him.

Colchester were just about in touch by then thanks to Whiteman’s characteristically direct run to the line, but the players left the field knowing something had to change.

And change it did. Colchester utterly dominated the second half, playing intelligent, patient rugby.

Higgins kicked a penalty to revive hopes, as Harvey Skinner and Freddie Skovly came on for Nick Flexman and Ethan Hughes.

Awarded a penalty in the hosts’ 22, Colchester opted for the scrum and Jerone Awusi - a highly-effective first-half replacement for the injured Lewis Jeffery - went over for their third try. Higgins converted.

Sean Bundy’s yellow card for an illegal tackle didn’t slow the Colchester steamroller and a series of penalties deep in Old Habs’ territory kept the pressure on.

The referee disallowed what seemed a good try, but the winning score wasn’t long in coming. From a ruck close to the line, James Crozier took the ball on and Whiteman pounced for the bonus point. Higgins’ conversion edged Colchester in front.

Patience was the key for Scully: “There were long periods in that second half when we were in their 22, not scoring but plugging away, and we didn’t rush, we didn’t panic and we found a way to win,”

Crozier and Awesu shared the men-of-the-match honours.

Colchester go above Old Habs into second place behind North Walsham, who secured promotion this weekend.

Edward Marriage