WE finally scored a goal.

After what seems like a lifetime, we have found the back of the net and like a good old London bus, after waiting so long two come along together.

While I am not that deluded to think all the problems are solved and this is Colchester United back on course and it is all steam ahead, we have finally solved one of the big issues of 2021 and broken the goal drought.

This coming Saturday at Crawley Town, it is imperative that we now take the momentum we finished the previous game with and use that as a starting blueprint for further improvement.

Against Mansfield, I am sure I was not alone in fearing the worse when an unfortunate loose ball in the box was turned in to his own net by the outstretched leg of Tommy Smith.

It put us behind after just four minutes and fans watching or listening in at home must have thought that was it and considered turning the game off.

But although the first half was scrappy, the U’s went in level at the break with Callum Harriott combining with Miles Welch-Hayes to finally score our first goal of 2021.

The second half was a big improvement on the first 45, but with the U’s attacking well, they were yet again undone defensively with nine minutes to go.

This would have, in previous games, been game over and another day of no points, but the lads rallied round and the determination paid off with Frank Nouble marking his return home with an equaliser in the last minute of normal time and to take a much-needed point.

Now the players and manager have come out and said we are not playing well enough or putting in the performances that we should be.

This is the time to put all the talking aside and use the weekend's comeback as a springboard.

There are players on the bench who are maybe more deserving of a place in the starting XI, while others who have been starting may benefit from being dropped to understand that they need to pull their socks up and start playing for the team and their shirt.

Most notably I feel Ryan Clampin and Aramide Oteh both deserve to start as they looked lively and had a positive impact on the game against Mansfield.

Ben Stevenson will hopefully be back to full match fitness and sharpness following his injury, plus I’m sure Brendan Wiredu will be itching to win his place back in midfield.

Not to forget Jevani Brown – this season's top scorer – who will be looking to gain his place back in the matchday squad.

The Mansfield game was not great and there is much to do, this is clear to see, but fingers crossed the spark and drive is back in this squad to make the short trip to Crawley on Saturday and return with a much-needed win and three points.

Come on, we can do it. Up the U’s.