Delighted Colchester United manager Kevin Keen had nothing but praise for his players after they secured a magnificent 1-0 win at Coventry City.

Gavin Massey’s 18th-minute strike gave the U’s back-to-back wins for the first time in the league and lifted them to within seven points of safety in League One, with seven games remaining.

Elliott Parish’s penalty save late in the first half helped Colchester claim three vital points and their first win at Coventry for nearly 60 years, leaving Keen ecstatic.

Keen said: “I can’t be happier.

“We played some fantastic football and I’m so happy for the lads and all of the supporters that made the trip up here.

“All I know is that I have a fantastic group of players who work hard every day and come in and try the socks off.

“They’re doing it for me, for the club and for themselves and I couldn’t wish for a better group of players.

“Where we finish, we finish but we won’t stop fighting until it’s all over.”

Keen has special praise for keeper Parish, who saved brilliantly from former Colchester loanee Jacob Murphy from the spot after Massey had brought down Romain Vincelot in the area.

Keen said: “It was a fantastic penalty save by Elliott and I feel so pleased for the boy.

“He’s been the team and out of the team, I brought Jake (Kean) in on loan and he took a back seat then but all of the time, he’s one of those who’s in the changing room and has fantastic spirit and wants us and the club to do well.

“I’m so pleased for him to have a massive role in our victory.”

Keen confirmed that he took Joe Edwards off at half-time after he suffered a knock in the first half.

For full coverage of the U's win at Coventry City, see Wednesday's Daily Gazette.