MATT Bloomfield was delighted with the character of his Colchester United side after they struck late to claim a 2-1 win at Hartlepool United.

Alex Newby's 87th-minute secured the U's all three points at Victoria Park after Jamie Sterry had cancelled out Fiacre Kelleher's early strike.

It leaves Colchester nine points above the League Two relegation zone, after they claimed a fourth straight away win for the first time since the 1987-88 season.

Bloomfield said: “We’re pleased with the win.

“I don’t think it was a game that was particularly pleasing on the eye.

“We scored early but kind of struggled to get ourselves in our flow, if I’m honest.

“We started really, really well if only for four minutes.

“We got ourselves ahead and then it kind of changes the psychology of the game a little bit.

"Because we went ahead so early, we weren't on the front foot as much as we wanted to be because we had something to protect.

“Hartlepool had nothing to lose at that point and we had to stand firm.

“We did it for a long time even though they scored and we had the character to find ourselves a winner.

“Two subs that came on have that big contribution – it’s a squad game these days and I’m obviously really pleased.

“I need to pay my respect to the way Hartlepool played this game.

“I knew it was going to be a tough afternoon and they’re a good team at home.

“We’ve looked at the form table and they’ve done extremely well for the month.

“They’re a team that’s fighting hard for their manager and their supporters.

“We had to dig in today and I’m really pleased that we’ve done that.”