Colchester United midfield hero Thomas Pinault celebrated his late match-winner at Bristol City by predicting that managerless U's will stay up in the Second Division.

The rejuvenated Frenchman, who struck the long-range killer-blow just eight minutes from the end, told the Evening Gazette: "It's up to us, but we know we can get this club out of trouble and start climbing up the table.

"And if I can chip in with five or six goals from midfield I will be very happy."

The 82nd minute winner was his fourth of the season, including another thunderbolt against City at Layer Road earlier in the season.

He said: "I like playing against them and although they had the ball in this match a lot more than us, we went there to win.

"We played so well that our keeper Simon Brown didn't even get his gloves dirty."

Pinault added: "In the position we found ourselves in going into the game this match was a six-pointer for us and we got off to a great start when Scotty (McGleish) scored very early for us.

"A little mistake by Joe Keith cost us a goal and handed Bristol an equaliser soon after half-time, but he said a big thank you to me for getting him out of jail."

More on Colchester United FC

What are your views on Colchester United? Have your say on our Views on the U's bulletin board.

Published Monday, February 10, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette