Marvin Sordell bagged a late winner and goalkeeper Jamie Jones made a dramatic penalty save as Colchester United claimed a thrilling 3-2 win at Sheffield United.

The U's raced into a two-goal lead at Bramall Lane, thanks to George Moncur's brace.

But Billy Sharp's penalty and Martyn Woolford's cool finish brought the Blades back to 2-2, before Sordell's deflected shot restored Colchester's lead.

Jones then made a fine penalty save from Sharp, as the U's claimed their first win of the season in style.

Colchester started the contest brightly – and were ahead in the sixth minute.

After some crisp passing inside the Blades’ half, Sordell collected Callum Harriott’s pass and threaded a ball through to the on-rushing Moncur, who finished calmly past keeper Mark Howard.

Colchester came close to scoring again ten minutes later when a swift counter-attack which started deep inside their own half ended in Callum Harriott’s fierce cross-shot warming the gloves of Sheffield United keeper Mark Howard.

And the U’s doubled their lead midway through the first half when Moncur latched onto Owen Garvan’s fine pass and calmly slotted past Howard from close range.

Moncur’s curled shot dropped inches wide of the far post on the half hour mark, as the U’s midfielder went in search of a hat-trick.

The impressive Garvan saw his free-kick well palmed around the post by Howard for a corner and Gavin Massey’s cross-shot flew just wide of the far post following a devastating counter-attack, as Colchester threatened a third.

Joe Edwards’ long-range thunderbolt skimmed the top of the crossbar but Sheffield United had their moments, with Jones pushing away Sharp’s goalbound effort just before half-time after the striker had burst into the area.

The half-time whistle was greeted by boos from the Sheffield United fans, after the U's went in at the break 2-0 ahead.

But within five minutes of the second half starting, the U’s lead had been halved.

After Gavin Massey brought down Jay McEveley in the area, a penalty was awarded and Sharp’s attempt was saved by U’s keeper Jones.

But much to Colchester’s fury Ricky Wootton, a late replacement for Darren Handley as referee, ordered the penalty to be retaken and Sharp made no mistake second time around.

Substitute Marc McNulty’s jinking run resulted in a shot that flew just wide and Sharp somehow blasted over from close range, as the U’s were forced to defend deeper and deeper.

Sheffield United’s equaliser arrived just after the hour through Woolford, who stroked past Jones from close range after the U’s had failed to clear their lines.

Garvan was unfortunate not to restore Colchester’s lead soon after when his free-kick was pushed away by Howard, as the contest became more open.

Sordell fired straight at Howard from close range before the striker gave the U’s a precious lead with eight minutes remaining, with his deflected long-range strike flying into the net.

When Elokobi fouled Sharp in the area with five minutes to go, the U’s skipper was sent off and things looked bleak for the U’s.

But Jones leapt to his right to save Sharp’s spot-kick and Colchester survived six minutes of stoppage-time to claim a famous away win.

For a full match report and pictures from the U's game at Sheffield United, see Wednesday's Daily Gazette.