MARK Hughes believes Colchester United are in a 'false position' after his Bradford City side struck late to beat them 2-0 at the University of Bradford Stadium.

Stoppage-time goals from Andy Cook and substitute Scott Banks sealed the Bantams' win, in front of a bumper crowd of more than 20,000 at the University of Bradford Stadium.

The victory boosted Bradford's League Two promotion hopes but former Manchester United forward Hughes admits the U's provided a difficult test.

Hughes said: “We’ve had a few disappointments late in games and those are hard to take.

“But it’s really sweet when that happens in the reverse direction and I felt we deserved it.

“It was always going to be difficult. People might have underestimated the challenge today.

“We knew that Colchester recruited well in January and are a decent team in a false position.

“If they were starting the season with the personnel they’ve got now, they wouldn’t be where they were.

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“On occasions they got in but it’s very difficult at this level to stop opposition teams having at least one or two chances.

“The key is they are not really clear cut and even then they’ve got to get past Harry. We’re thankful they weren’t able to convert the ones they did create.”

Bradford's two late goals ensured their bumper home crowd went home happy, as they claimed a third successive win.

“We all got a little bit giddy at the end, myself included. There was a lot of emotion and fantastic noise in the stadium," said Hughes.

“That’s what we want to create every game if we can.

“It was a really important result for us. We stuck at it, the crowd were great and got us over the line when we were pushing and needed that extra help.”

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Cook continued his prolific scoring form for Bradford, scoring their opener and then teeing up Banks for their second, soon after.

Cook scored his 22nd goal of the season when he netted the Bantams opener and his sixth goal in seven matches.

Hughes added: “He’s working really hard at the moment. He didn’t have a lot of leeway from the three centre halves and it was difficult for him to get into the game.

“But he’s finished with arguably the winning goal and then he’s produced an assist for the second.

“He’s had to wait like we all had to but he’s come good.”