Colchester United head coach John McGreal admits it was a 'brave call' to hand striker Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe his first-ever professional start against Coventry City.

But the U's boss said the former Maldon and Tiptree forward repaid him with a 'glorious debut' display, after he scored one goal and made the other in his side's vital 2-1 win.

Ogedi-Uzokwe, who signed for Colchester from the Jammers last month, scored a first-half penalty for his side to bag his maiden EFL goal.

And he then provided the cross for Mika Mandron to head home the U's late winner, after Tom Bayliss had equalised for Coventry early in the second half.

McGreal said: “Junior scored one and set one up and it was a glorious debut for him.

“It was a big call for me to start him but the boy deserved his opportunity.

“He’s trained terrifically well.

“He’s had a good first part of the season at Maldon and has been with us now for about six weeks.

“He’s been getting little bits and I just thought that the game was right after what happened last Saturday, with Kurtis (Guthrie) getting injured (at Carlisle).

“We know that Mika likes to link the play and Junior likes to stretch the play.

“It was a brave call to put him in but the boy has done terrifically."

McGreal said he had no problem with Ogedi-Uzokwe taking the penalty, after he had been fouled by Rod McDonald in the area.

“He showed a bit of character and personality to take the penalty," said the U's boss.

“It happened the other week with Mika (Mandron) and Sammie (Szmodics) at Notts County and when it doesn’t work out, it’s a lot of what’s going on.

“But if the boy wants the penalty, who’s going to stop him?"