The contribution of arguably Colchester United’s two most valuable players at the weekend further illustrated how important the duo can be in the final four months of the season.

With the January transfer window now open, there is no guarantee that both Kaspars Gorkss and Freddie Sears will still be U’s players in a few weeks, let alone a few months.

But while the pair remain at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, their influence on the team is clear for all to see.

And their performance at either end of the pitch in helping Colchester claim a vital victory at London Road was the perfect example of their worth to the team.

Gorkss, who agreed to another short-term deal with the U’s last Saturday, produced what was arguably his finest performance in a Colchester shirt in their 2-0 win over Peterborough United.

The Latvia international was a colossus in helping them keep a clean sheet, producing a determined display which seemed to inspire those around him.

Indeed, it is probably no coincidence that since Gorkss’ arrival as a free agent last month that Colchester have kept clean sheets in all three of the away league games in which he has featured.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, the U’s have a striker in Sears who is currently one of the hottest properties in League One.

His well-taken goal at Peterborough was his second in as many games and took him to 14 goals for the season, in all competitions.

Sears’ future is still by no means certain; he is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to sign the new deal offered to him by Colchester.

But the former West Ham United youngster appears committed to the cause, if recent interviews and indeed performances are anything to go by.

And while he remains at Colchester, they will always be capable of scoring goals with him in the team.

The U’s excellent all-round team performance at Peterborough offered evidence that only a collective effort will help them pull away from relegation danger.

But individuals of Gorkss and Sears' worth and quality can only serve to inspire the young, promising players around them in the crucial months to come.

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.