COLCHESTER United fans have grown accustomed to Tom Eastman's fine performances for the club, over the years.

And the statistics show once again that the U's long-serving defender is one of their best ever.

The result may not have gone for Colchester at the weekend, against Crawley Town.

But Eastman's contribution on his return to their starting line-up in the 1-0 defeat to the Reds was eye-catching in several areas - and up there with the best in League Two.

According to https://www.whoscored.com/ the 29-year-old led the way in the fourth tier last weekend for the most passes made, in the latest round of games played.

Eastman, who penned a new two-year contract extension with the U's in May, made a total of 77 passes in the Crawley game - more than any other player in the division last Saturday.

The reliable U's defender was also one of the leading performers in another category, at the weekend.

Gazette:

The four-time Colchester Player of the Year winner won an impressive 13 aerial challenges against Crawley, the third highest in the division.

Only Carlisle United's Corey Whelan (19) and Nathan Smith (14) of Port Vale won more balls in the air.

Eastman, who is in the top ten in the list of Colchester's all-time appearance makers, was also high up in another category in League Two, last Saturday.

The former Ipswich Town youngster, who has made more than 400 apperance for the U's since joining them in 2011, completed a total of 85 touches against Crawley, the fourth highest in the division.

Tranmere Rovers' Calum MacDonald (104), Jack Armer (87) of Carlisle and Jack Powell (84), who impressed for Crawley against the U's, were the only players to have more touches of the ball during the latest round of League Two matches.