Colchester United boss Steve Whitton was in a jubilant mood today after his injury-hit squad handed him an early 40th birthday present with victory over Notts County.

Whitton, who celebrates his big milestone today, will be making sure it's cream cakes all-round after Saturday's 2-0 Layer Road success over the Magpies which hoisted the U's just one win away from the top half of the table with more than half the Division Two season still to play.

And while paying a glowing tribute to his patched up squad - minus six senior players - the delighted U's chief revealed one of his first jobs this week will be to consider the immediate future of his on-loan duo, in-form Brentford goalkeeper Andy Woodman and big York City striker Barry Conlon.

Woodman, 29, stretched his own undefeated run to 16 matches for Southend and the U's by keeping his third successive clean sheet on Saturday, while 22-year-old Conlon marked the final League outing of his current loan spell with a debut goal for the club.

Both loans are due to expire this week and Whitton stressed he would be looking very closely at the situation.

The U's defence appears very comfortable playing in front of Woodman, who clearly inspires confidence and the U's boss said: "If finances allow it I would like to have both Andy Woodman and Simon Brown in my squad.

"We will have to pay money to York for Barry Conlon if we want him. Although he took his goal very well against Notts County I would still like to see more of him before making up my mind whether to sign him permanently.

"I do, of course, have the option to extend their current loan deals."

Both Woodman and Conlon are expected to play the final game of their initial loan spells in tomorrow night's LDV Trophy first round tie at Cambridge United.

Whitton, meanwhile, declared his delight at the way his team saw off Notts County to register seven points from their last three League outings.

He said: "But for a couple of occasions in the first half I felt the lads were very comfortable. We were never really in any trouble.

"If we had been missing the same number of players last year we wouldn't have survived games like this.

"We've been a long time coming back after selling Lomana Tresor Lua Lua, but I think we are getting there and both Alan White and Mick Stockwell were in a class of their own on Saturday.

"My aim at the start of the season was to cut down the number of goals we were conceding. We are doing this which is very pleasing, but we can still do with that new striker."

Whitton added: "Our first goal was excellent and Chris Keeble, with his young legs, is the only player in the side who would have scored it.

"I have always said to my players if you put the ball in the right areas somebody will have a chance to get on the end of them."

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