Josh Davison and Joe Lewis’ doubles helped AFC Wimbledon move into the League Two play-off places with a thrilling 5-3 win over Colchester at Plough Lane.

The visitors had led halfway through the opening 45 minutes but succumbed to a fifth successive away league defeat after finishing the match with 10 players.

Both teams scored inside the opening seven minutes during an enthralling first half as Davison confidently finished from Ali Al Hamadi’s low cross after four minutes.

But Colchester levelled through Cameron McGeehan just three minutes later after some good work from the recalled Matt Jay.

The away side then took the lead after 25 minutes when Joe Taylor’s low drive beat Alex Bass.

Wimbledon found an equaliser just before half-time as Lewis turned Jake Reeves’ corner home with an expertly placed glancing header.

The hosts regained the lead seven minutes into the second half as Davison smartly found the far corner from a tight angle.

And Al Hamadi scored Wimbledon’s fourth when he beat Owen Goodman at his near post 15 minutes later.

McGeehan was shown a second yellow card late on as Lewis netted a second in stoppage-time.

Tom Dallison then scored the eighth goal of the evening but it proved little more than a consolation for the away side.