Colchester United general manager Tim Waddington believes the club’s dramatic victory over Preston North End to remain in League One will go down as a memorable moment in the club’s history.

A crowd of 8,413 packed into the Weston Homes Community Stadium, the sixth-highest attendance at the venue since its opening in 2008.

The U’s 1-0 victory – which helped them avoid relegation to League Two, sparked wild scenes of celebration on the pitch at the final whistle.

Waddington said: “We created some history at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and it’s an absolute memory.

“We’ve had some big games but it was a real historical moment and you saw that in the reaction of the fans – people just lost control for a while, which was great!

“It’s always a test and getting up to a crowd of 8,000 or 9,000 does change the logistics a wee bit.

“It was an immense atmosphere and both sets of fans played their part.”

Waddington has praised Colchester fans for their support of the team over recent weeks, during the club’s successful battle to beat the drop.

U’s supporters were in fine voice in the final weeks of the season, something that boosted the players according to Waddington.

“In the last two home games in particular, the fans have been absolutely immense,” he said.

“It makes a huge difference to our survival and you can that in the players.

“When I walked out for the Swindon game I had goosebumps listening to the noise coming from the fans and it was incredible – absolutely first class.

“The heart was there and I think most of us behind the scenes and certainly everyone on the pitch knew that we were going to do it.

“I could hear people whispering around me and that certain teams were winning, in other games.

“But at the end of the day, we just had to do what we had to do to win it and see what unfolds.

“We’ve been getting stronger and stronger – it was an interesting twist at Fleetwood and we were unlucky not to beat Swindon.

“We were sunk one minute but dancing the next and it’s been a brutal end to the season."

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