Colchester United claimed a 1-0 win over Salford City, thanks to Harry Pell's last-gasp winner

A euphoric feeling

THE animated celebrations showed just how much Colchester United’s last-gasp winner against Salford City meant to their players.

Harry Pell’s goal sparked wild scenes at the JobServe Community Stadium, prompting U’s head coach John McGreal to compare them to those witnessed when Leicester City scored a VAR-approved winner against Everton seven days earlier.

“We mentioned the Leicester celebration the other night with the VAR and how they celebrated it,” said McGreal.

“It sparked a euphoria and we’re no different – it’s the same at any level.

“That showed the unity that they’ve got and I thought we more than matched that – it was a brilliant finish.”

Showing their credentials

COLCHESTER United’s win over Salford City has left them a point off the play-off places in League Two – and five points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

The U’s, who have a game in hand over several of the sides above them in the table, are now five games unbeaten in the league and are beginning to show their credentials as a promotion contender.

Their much-anticipated trip to Old Trafford to play Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals is now only a few days away.

But prior to that, their game at Scunthorpe United next Saturday is of more vital importance.

So emotional

SCORING a late, late winner for Colchester United against Salford City was an emotional moment for Harry Pell.

It was not hard to see why, given what the U’s midfielder has been through over the last few months.

An Achilles injury had sidelined Pell for nearly three months, prior to his return to action last month.

He deserved every moment of his animated celebration, after the personal anguish and frustration he has had to endure.

Mr Reliable

IT is testament to Tom Lapslie’s talent, character and versatility that John McGreal should feel comfortable enough to utilise him in an unfamiliar full-back role, for the second successive game.

Lapslie is carved out his reputation for Colchester United as a tenacious midfielder.

But his competent performance after coming on for a tiring Ryan Jackson midway through the second half was impressive.

Lapslie is a player you know you can always rely on; he might not be a natural right-back but he certainly did not let anyone down.

Staying power

COLCHESTER United’s players kept going until the very end against Salford – and so did their fans.

The vast majority of the 3,500 or so U’s fans at the JobServe Community Stadium stayed put until the end and were rewarded for their dedication by Harry Pell’s last-gasp header, who secured the hosts all three points.

“The fans could have easily have gone but they stayed until the end, so credit to them for that,” said U’s boss John McGreal after seeing his side claim a big win.