TOM Dallison was the unlikely goalscoring hero for Colchester United after netting their winner against Port Vale.

It was a big victory for the U's, as they battle to beat the drop.

Dallison was delighted to score but the centre-back admits the U's remain in a relegation 'dogfight' despite their morale-boosting win over Vale.

Dallison's first-ever Colchester goal secured his side a 1-0 triumph over Vale, ending a three-and-a-half month wait for a home victory.

The result leaves the U's five points above the League Two drop zone, ahead of this weekend's trip to play bottom side Scunthorpe United.

But despite helping Colchester end a six-match winless run, Dallison said: "We won't get too carried away.

"We've got another big game on Saturday against Scunthorpe.

"We're not out of it; there's no secret that we're still in a dogfight.

"We're all aware of that and we need to get more points on the board, as soon as possible.

"It was nice to get a goal on a personal note but it was all about the three points.

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"Keeping a clean sheet was almost as good as scoring for me, keeping the ball out.

"That's what you're paid to do, keep the ball out of the back of the net.

"It wasn't just me; it came from all over the pitch and it starts with the boys up front.

"Searsy (Freddie Sears) worked his socks off as did Chilly (Noah Chilvers) but credit to all of the lads on the pitch.

"It was brilliant for Sham (George) near the end.

"He's a really good guy and I'm delighted for him - it's big moments for big players.

"Everyone put a shift in and we got our rewards for it.

"We were disappointed not to win against Leyton Orient but we didn't get too down.

"We got back on the training pitch, looked at Port Vale and looked how we could get the three points."

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Dallison headed home Noah Chilvers' corner in the 85th minute to score Colchester's crucial winning goal against Port Vale.

It was the 26-year-old's first goal since joining them from Crawley Town in January and the first time he has found the net since February, 2021.

"I'd like to score more and it's taken a little while to get on the scoreboard," said the former Brighton youngster.

"But when we win, I'd take a clean sheet over scoring.

"About two years ago, I scored a hole in one on a par four so it's like that!

"It's a brilliant feeling to score on a personal note but anyone could have scored that goal!

"Just to get those points on the board is the main thing.

"I'm really delighted for the rest of the lads, the gaffer and the staff for putting in the hard work and the long hours, giving us the information we need to go and win the game."

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Dallison has made eight league starts for Colchester since joining in the January transfer window.

The defender made four starts for the U's before suffering a groin injury in the warm-up against Leyton Orient, which sidelined him for four games.

He added: "It was really frustrating, when you're about to go into a game and you get injured in a warm-up.

"But the captain (Tommy Smith) came in, clean sheet, beat Orient and I was buzzing for the lads.

"I worked my socks off to get back into the team and wait until the timing was right where I was needed.

"We've got really good competition in the squad at the minute. "There's me, Chambo (Luke Chambers), Easty (Tom Eastman), Smudge (Tommy Smith), Miles Welch-Hayes - we've got real good competition which is healthy and can only be good for the group."