BOSS John McGreal said tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy victory was just what the doctor ordered for his Colchester United side.

The U’s have endured a ten-game win-less run but stopped the rot with a penalty shoot-out success against Charlton Athletic, winning 4-3 after the contest finished 1-1.

“It’s what we’ve needed,” said relieved head coach McGreal.

“It was a really pleasing night and so important to end the win-less run.

“Over the 90 minutes, we deserved to win and some of the football we played was fantastic.

“Our first goal was superb and their goalkeeper pulled off a couple of very good saves.

“How we got the win wasn’t overly important but looking back and reflecting, some of our football was excellent.

“It’s a platform to build on, especially with another home game to come (against Leyton Orient) on Saturday.”

McGreal handed welcome starts to three long-term injury victims.

Centre-half Frankie Kent, Tom Lapslie and Brennan Dickenson were making their first appearances since August 9, September 10 and September 24 respectively.

“I made a few changes, to give some of the boys who had been injured a run-out, and it ticked a lot of boxes,” he said.

“We’ve got to take care of them and wrap them up in a bit of cotton wool.

“Hopefully they’ll have no recurrence over the next couple of days and can build up their strength for Saturday.”

Macauley Bonne headed Colchester’s first-half leveller after the Addicks had gone in front through Nicky Ajose.

And with the tie finishing 1-1, a shoot-out was needed to determine the winner.

Kurtis Guthrie, Bonne, Drey Wright and Craig Slater netted from the spot and keeper Dillon Barnes made two vital saves from Karlan Ahearne-Grant and Ezri Konsa.

It ended the U’s Checkatrade Trophy campaign on a high, although they still finished bottom of Southern Group E.