Manager Steve Whitton paid a glowing tribute to his Colchester United players after their magnificent one-goal win at Wigan.

Whitton said: "I am proud of all of them. To come back as strongly as they did from the defeats by Bury and Reading to beat a Wigan side who are flying is a tribute to my lads' tremendous skill and spirit.

"Every one of them was a hero, but Ross Johnson and Richard Wilkins were outstanding at the heart of our defence and the other players were not far behind them.

"Gavin Johnson showed his class in midfield and showed his old club Wigan what they are missing while Karl Duguid and Jason Dozzell also shone brightly at both ends of the pitch.

"I have said it many times before - although my lads continue to confound us all at times there is more than enough quality in the side to beat anyone.

"The outfield players did their jobs so well that keeper Simon Brown only had two real saves to make, while we could so easily have won by three or four goals.

"It was without doubt one of the best footballing performances we have produced all season and I just hope we can repeat it at home to Stoke City on Saturday."

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