with the club still in league one, collins remained as first choice in central defence alongside maguire, captaining the side during michael doyle's absence. during the first half of the 2012–13 season collins began to score regularly, netting five times by the start of december as united challenged for automatic promotion. in november he extended his current contract by a further two years until 2015 with the option of another year. his good form was halted when he fractured his cheekbone during a game against scunthorpe united at the end of december, an injury that ruled him out of action for two months. he made 45 appearances across the campaign as united recorded a club record 21 clean sheets; however they could only reach the play-off semi-finals.