Tom Lapslie says he enjoyed every moment of making his league debut for Colchester United.

The 19-year-old U’s academy product made his first senior start when he helped them record an important 2-0 win over Leyton Orient, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Lapslie, who first joined Colchester when he was 16 having previously played Sunday League football for Ongar Juniors, looked at home in the U’s midfield against the O’s.

He became the latest in a succession of home-grown players to start for the U’s in League One and is now keen for more senior action.

Lapslie said: “I enjoyed every minute of my first game for Colchester but the win was more important.

“I want another taste of it as soon as possible but that’s up to the manager and what he decides.

“It was a big game for us and the manager put faith in me to play, so I have to thank him for that.

“I thought I did alright - hopefully with more experience I’ll get more on the ball but I worked hard and grafted, which is what I’m good at.

“Tony and Richard (Hall) just told me to go out and do what I’m good at, so why change what I’ve done for the last 19 years?

“It was a little bit faster than what I’m used to and you’re playing against men, which is a bit different to playing against people my age or a couple of years above.

“They had some experienced players and it was great to play against them, because it’s a test for us.

“It was a fantastic win for us and hopefully, there are more to come.

“It’s a massive lift for us to beat them, because of the position of the two teams.”

For more on this story and all of the latest Colchester United news, including five pages of coverage of their win over Leyton Orient, see Monday's Daily Gazette.