Colchester United defender Tom Dallison suffered injury against Tranmere

The centre-back returned to the U's starting line-up after missing the club's previous three matches, due to a groin injury.

Dallison was forced out of Colchester's 1-0 victory over Tranmere with 12 minutes of normal time remaining, after suffering the same problem.

The 26-year-old's injury will now be examined, ahead of the U's trip to play Harrogate Town this weekend.

Brown said: "Dallo has had to come off with a groin again.

"There's a few lads who have come in with niggles and knocks.

"We're having to wrap them up to a certain extent and wheel them out and to be fair, they've stepped up.

"It was our job as staff to pick the lads up again, this week.

"We've had Hanno off ill, we've asked Judgey to go on and do a job for us with him having been off a few weeks now."

Junior Tchamadeu netted Colchester's winner in the fifth minute of stoppage-time against Tranmere.

The 18-year-old came off the bench to score his first professional goal to win a tight contest, for the U's.

Tranmere boss Micky Mellon felt his side should have been awarded a free-kick, just before Tchamadeu scored.

And the visitors also questioned whether the ball had gone out of play, prior to Alan Judge hooking it into Tchamadeu's path.

"We need decisions like that to go for us and they have done (against Tranmere)," said Brown.

"There's been many occasions this season when Hayden (Mullins) has been in charge or I've been in charge when we haven't got the rub of the green.

"Yes, we did get the rub of the green but what a finish by the young man.

"It was probably the worst that we've played since we've been back in there but it was all about the result.

"I thought we were better in the second half.

"I thought the change of shape helped going three up top; it put a little bit more pressure with them coming to the ball instead of them coming to the halfway line, so I think that worked.

"I thought we had more territory, we played the ball quicker, earlier forwards in the second half and got more territory and got into good areas.

"Like the Scunthorpe game, we weren't at our best but we dug in there, we stayed in the game with help from Sham (George) and ultimately, we came out with the three points, which is the be all and end all."

Colchester had goalkeeper Shamal George to thank for a breathtaking second-half save to deny Elliott Nevitt.

The brilliant stop paved the way for the U's to go on and take three precious points.

Brown said: "That's his job - I'm harsh.

"The keeper is in there to keep the ball out of the net but when you need a bit of brilliance from the keeper, that is going in the top corner.

"I'm right behind it and I'm thinking it's in and out of nowhere, he gets fingertips to it and turns it over.

"As much as he's had some stick with regard to maybe making mistakes, Leyton Orient comes to mind, when he's been asked the questions, nine times out of ten he's had the right answers."