Colchester United's 4-1 FA Cup triumph over Mansfield Town was just what the doctor ordered for manager Phil Parkinson.
Second round here we come - Sam Stockley, followed by Greg Halford, salutes the U's fans.
It was club's first win since their 2-1 triumph against Port Vale on October 2. And it represented a major boost for Parkinson, who had kept faith in his side and insisted they were on the up after going four games unbeaten.
The U's boss told the Gazette: "I've been saying all along that our performances have been good ever since we went out of the Carling Cup at Premiership side Southampton.
"But we badly needed a win. We've been so close to it and kept plugging away, knowing eventually we would get a result.
"I'm 100 per cent confident in the quality of the players we've got."
The U's stormed towards a second-round tie at Rushden and Diamonds thanks to a Richard Garcia header and an own goal from Tom Curtis in the first half.
After the break, they added two penalties from Craig Fagan and substitute Gareth Williams.
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Published Wednesday, November 24, 2004
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