James Bransgrove said making his senior debut with Colchester United is a day he will never forget.

The 20-year-old shot-stopper made his first-ever competitive appearance for the U’s in their 2-1 home defeat against Rochdale, on the final day of the League One season.

Bransgrove was only told he would be playing at the Weston Homes Community Stadium 40 minutes before kick-off.

Fellow academy keeper Dillon Barnes had originally been named in the U’s starting line-up but was stuck in traffic on his way to the game, forcing Colchester to make a late change.

Bransgrove performed well on his debut despite the defeat and the young keeper says it was a memorable day.

He said: “It happened in slightly bizarre circumstances and it was a bit of a late call.

“I actually dislocated my finger in training last Friday, so it’s been a bit of a hectic few days but an amazing feeling.

“I got told I was playing about 40 minutes before kick-off.

“There was travel problems with Dillon so I got told to be ready but I didn’t think he wouldn’t make it, so I just got chucked in which was great.

“It was a shame about the result but it was a day I’ll never forget.

“I didn’t have last night to maybe think about it and with it being the last day of the season and neither team having much to play for, so it was a nice day to make a debut.

“My finger was fine and with the adrenalin, it wouldn’t have stopped me.”

Bransgrove made a number of good saves against Rochdale including one outstanding stop to deny Calvin Andrew, shortly prior to the visitors grabbing their victory.

“I thought I did well and I’ll look back on how I did with George (Bankole),” who celebrates his 21st birthday on Thursday.

“George has been great when I’ve been coming back from injury and pushing me really hard, so thanks to him as well.”

Bransgrove says he is already looking forward to next season, where he will compete with Barnes and Sam Walker to be Colchester’s number one goalkeeper in League Two.

He added: “We have a little bit of time off but we’ll be working hard and hopefully I can hit the ground running and report back for pre-season.”