Penalty hero Jamie Jones has backed Colchester United to embark on a winning run - and says they have league leaders Gillingham firmly in their sights.

Shot-stopper Jones saved a late Billy Sharp penalty to help the U’s dramatically triumph 3-2 at Sheffield United and chalk up their first victory of the season.

He had earlier saved another Sharp spot-kick, only for the striker to score at the second attempt after the referee ordered it to be retaken.

Marvin Sordell’s late winner helped Colchester go on and win at Bramall Lane for the first time in the league since 1979.

And on-loan Preston keeper Jones believes a confident Colchester side can cause in-form Gillingham similar problems when the two sides meet, this weekend.

Jones said: “We think our wins are going to be like buses now, after we got our first one.

“We’ll keep kicking on now and push up the table.

“Gillingham should be scared of us, because of the way we play.

“We could have been four or five up at half-time (at Sheffield United) and we created some beautiful chances.

“We played some really, really good football and that can only breed confidence for the team.

“We’re going to our games with that threat and people are going to start worrying about Colchester United.”

Jones has revealed some extra practice saving penalties in training at Preston played a part in his heroics at Sheffield United.

“I’ve been working with Joe Garner at Preston, who takes a few for them,” said Jones, who joined Colchester on a 93-day emergency loan from Preston last week.

“I’d been doing that at the end of training each day and I’ve brought it into my game.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had two penalties taken against me before, so that’s a first.

“One time it was unfortunate but the second time, it’s won us the game and I’m proud of that.”

It is not the first time Jones has been part of a side to have been two goals ahead at Bramall Lane, only to see a lead pegged back.

The former Everton youngster was part of the Coventry City side who led 2-0 only to draw 2-2 with the Blades at the venue, last season.

So the victory was sweet for Jones, who felt referee Ricky Wootton’s decision to penalise him for encroachment for Sheffield United’s first penalty was harsh.

“It’s hard to defend against that end, with the thousands of fans behind that goal,” he added.

“But we stayed strong there and we believed that we could get the third goal which we did and that showed a lot of character.”

For a full preview of the U's game with Gillingham, see Friday's Daily Gazette.