Colchester United head coach John McGreal says he was pleased for hard-working Mikael Mandron after the striker netted their winner in their 1-0 victory over Macclesfield Town this afternoon.

Mandron netted a first-half winner for the U's to help them claim three points and stay third in League Two, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

It was the Frenchman's first goal since March and boss McGreal was pleased to see his forward grab their crucial winning goal, which sealed back-to-back league wins.

McGreal said: "We keep saying with Mika that he doesn't moan.

"He's the first out in training and the last in.

"He works ever so hard and he just gets on with the job.

"Sammie Szmodics has been getting the goals of late and Mika has been dove-tailing him, so it's lovely for Mika to get the goal today, for all of the hard work he puts in."

"Mika has certainly stepped up to the plate, knowing that Luke (Norris) was on the bench."

Colchester were much the better side in the first half and deserved their half-time lead.

Mandron had come close to scoring prior to netting just before the half hour, while Macclesfield keeper Kieran O'Hara denied both Ryan Jackson and Courtney Senior and Harry Pell also came close.

But the Silkmen improved in the second half and almost grabbed an equaliser when Fiacre Kelleher's header flashed inches wide from James Pearson's accurate cross.

“You have to give Macclesfield credit because they’re fighting for their lives," added McGreal.

“I know he’s only been there a short time but Sol has definitely got something going there.

“You can see the qualities that they’ve got and why they’d won their previous two games in the league.

“It got a bit tight but I just thought we were deserved winners, just because of the first-half performance.

“There’s a lot of big boys behind us who keep winning as well and I think seven out of the eight have won (on Saturday).

“A lot of teams in that position want to stay there and we’re one of them.

“We’re doing the best we can at the minute with the clean sheets, the goals and the performances and I’m proud of the boys.

“That’s all you can ask for and it’s another win at home which is terrific and the fans are getting value for their money at this moment.”