PENALTY hero Tom Lapslie says converting the crucial winning spot-kick in Colchester United’s shoot-out triumph over Tottenham Hotspur ranks as a career high.

The 23-year-old held his nerve to slot away the decisive kick and help the U’s stun their Premier League opponents and progress to the Carabao Cup fourth round.

Lapslie says he was always confident to take a penalty, after the third-round tie against Tottenham had finished goal-less after 90 minutes at the JobServe Community Stadium.

And after helping Colchester claim a 4-3 shoot-out victory midfielder Lapslie, who stepped up fifth for the U’s in the shoot-out, says he always felt like he wanted to take a penalty if given the opportunity.

Lapslie said: “It’s up there probably with my best career moments so far, along with my debut.

“I put my hand up straight away to take a penalty.

“I always wanted to take one and I said to Pros (Luke Prosser) when we came in before we came in that if there’s penalties, I’d 100 per cent take one.

“We knew penalties can be a lottery and fortunately, we were on the other side of it.

“I tried to keep myself calm as I possibly could – I feel like I’m quite good at doing that.

“I fancied myself with penalties and I was quite confident, to be fair.

“I just picked my spot and I had my spot before I went up.

“I didn’t change – I hit it hard and true and hope the keeper didn’t get a hand to it and thankfully, it went in.”

Lapslie’s winning penalty sparked jubilant scenes at the JobServe Community Stadium, as Colchester’s fans celebrated one of the most memorable results in the club’s history after victory against a Spurs team who fielded six internationals, including the likes of Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Ben Davies.

“I’m buzzing that the fans enjoyed the night,” said Lapslie.

“Hopefully, they’ll all be at Macclesfield on Saturday!

“Credit to the boys, credit to the club and the town – what a night for everyone.

“The boys dug in and gave everything they had.

“We knew that we had to work hard and we knew technically, they’re better than us.

“We had great shape and the boys all worked so hard for us and the crowd got us through to be fair, especially in the last ten to 15 minutes when we were all flagging a little bit.

“They kept us going and they were a massive help in the penalty shoot-out as well.”

“Bar Harry Kane, they were pretty much as strong as they could be.

“We played against some top, top players and it shows we can beat anyone on our day, if we work hard enough.

“But this is all in vain if we don’t cement a good start in the league and continue from where we are and get a few more wins.”

It was a memorable night for Lapslie, not least as he had to sit out Colchester’s second-round penalty shoot-out win at Crystal Palace because of injury.

He added: “Both Pelle (Harry Pell) and I were injured for the Palace game but we were there sitting behind the bench.

“As good a night as it was - and we both thoroughly enjoyed it and were buzzing for the lads.

“We both said there’s a little bit of you feeling that you missed out because you weren’t involved in it.

“Fortunately, I was able to get myself fit and ready for the next game.”