Colchester United claimed a 1-0 win at Oldham Athletic, on Saturday afternoon.

Frank Nouble's fine finish on the stroke of half-time gave the U's victory, at Boundary Park.

It helped John McGreal's side follow up their Carabao Cup second-round triumph at Crystal Palace and their 1-0 victory over Northampton Town, last weekend.

Following up

AFTER all of the cup excitement last week, it was important that Colchester United followed it up with a positive result at Oldham Athletic – which is exactly what they did.

Beating a Premier League side on their own patch, as the U’s did at Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, takes some doing.

But so too does chalking up another fine away win on the back of it, especially when you are having to clock up the miles after the heavy midweek exertions at Selhurst Park.

That was why Colchester’s win and performance at Boundary Park was so impressive, especially as it was achieved by an unchanged starting line-up.

Park life

COLCHESTER United clearly love playing at Boundary Park.

It’s a happy hunting ground for the U's and they are now unbeaten in their last ten visits to Oldham Athletic.

Colchester last tasted defeat there in their 2005-06 promotion-winning season, when Dean Gerken was an unused substitute.

The U’s keeper, now in his second spell at the club, played his part in helping them keep a clean sheet and win on their latest appearance there.

Classy finish

FRANK Nouble still had plenty to do when he was sent through on goal by Luke Norris, just before half-time at Boundary Park.

But the manner in which he finished the chance was befitting of a man who has played in the Premier League.

Nouble’s superb calm and precise finish was a moment of quality worthy of winning any game.

Praise indeed

JOHN McGreal established himself as a dominating centre-back at the top level, during his playing days.

So for the Colchester United manager to compare Tom Eastman’s immense performance against Oldham Athletic to one of his own in his heyday was praise indeed.

Eastman was superb; he won every header, made every tackle and blocked every shot during the U’s 1-0 win at Boundary Park.

Together with skipper and defensive partner Luke Prosser, he was outstanding at the heart of the Colchester defence.

Theo’s big impact

HAD Theo Robinson’s strike been a touch lower and dipped under the crossbar rather than onto it, he would quite possibly have been Colchester United’s quickest-ever goalscoring debutant.

Robinson made quite an entrance after coming on as a substitute at Oldham Athletic to make his U’s bow, in their win at Boundary Park.

After arriving on loan from Southend United until January, the experienced striker has the potential to be a shrewd signing for Colchester.