COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal praised his side's 'excellent' performance after they claimed an impressive 3-2 win at Mansfield Town this afternoon.

Goals from Brandon Comley, Courtney Senior and Luke Gambin sealed the U's win at Field Mill, to help them finish a great week on a high.

McGreal said: "I thought the boys were excellent.

"From the euphoria of the win (at Crawley) on Tuesday, to the draw on Thursday morning against possibly the biggest club in the world and then to travel yesterday and put the prep in that you need to for these type of games, they've nailed the tactical side of it, especially in an attacking sense.

"To put on a performance like that against a Mansfield team that have picked up of late and have been getting good results.

"It's a tough place to come and I've been here four times and we've had three draws previously but I just thought the 3-2 scoreline makes it look closer than it should be."

Colchester went ahead through Comley's wonder strike but Ryan Sweeney equalised for Mansfield, just before the break.

Frank Nouble had a penalty saved by keeper Conrad Logan early in the second half but Courtney Senior gave the U's the lead again, with 15 minutes remaining.

Substitute Luke Gambin then made it 3-1 late on and although Omari Sterling-James gave the Stags hope in stoppage-time, it was not enough to prevent Colchester from sealing a third straight win.

McGreal said: "Some of our play and pace especially in the first half was excellent, along with the passing and penetration.

"The ping could have gone in after the euphoria of Thursday and it could have been a case of after the Lord Mayor's Show after conceding in the 48th minute right on half-time.

"But the boys went again and KP (Kwame Poku) found a bit of magic to lull the defender in for the penalty.

"We haven't scored it and the ping could have gone in again but it didn't and we kept going and going and going.

"We defended particularly well and protected Gerks (Dean Gerken) but I thought our threat and passing exchanges was fantastic.

"Courtney's goal was very similar to last week's (against Newport) with his right foot.

"He's dropped his shoulder and had a step over before putting it onto his left foot.

"Then little magic man Gams (Luke Gambin) and was Johnny on the spot to give us that little bit of breathing space.

"Mansfield are a big team and with the set plays, we felt we were able to move the set plays around and mix it up quite well.

"We recycled it around the edge of the box and Brandon's put it in the top corner.

"It's only what he deserves as he's been outstanding of late and he deserved that goal."