A GOAL deep into stoppage-time from substitute Junior Tchamadeu secured Colchester United a dramatic 1-0 victory over promotion-chasing Tranmere Rovers this afternoon.

Tchamadeu came off the bench to slam the ball home from just inside the area in the fifth minute of stoppage-time to score his first-ever professional goal and win it for the U's at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester made two changes to their starting line-up for their game with Tranmere.

Tom Dallison and Luke Hannant came back into the side in place of Tom Eastman who dropped to the bench and Tyreik Wright, who was away on international duty with Republic of Ireland under-21s.

Colchester made a solid start and almost took a 14th-minute lead when Hannant’s fine run saw him burst into the area and lift a shot past goalkeeper Joe Murphy but just wide of the far post.

The U’s then felt they should have had a penalty four minutes later.

Cameron Coxe embarked on a trademark run down the run and appeared to tumble under Calum MacDonald's challenge in the area.

But the referee awarded the U’s only a free-kick on the edge of the box and not a spot-kick, much to the hosts’ anger.

The first half was a competitive affair, with Tranmere looking increasingly dangerous as it wore on.

The visitors almost went ahead in the 33rd minute when Elliott Nevitt warmed Colchester goalkeeper Shamal George’s gloves at his near post with a fierce close-range shot and then fired wide of the far post, at the second attempt.

George then made a good low save to deny Kane Hemmings who had burst onto Peter Clarke's quickly-taken free-kick and into the U’s area.

But the sides went in deadlocked at the break and U's interim boss Wayne Brown did not wait long after half-time before making his first change, sending on Alan Judge for John Akinde.

Colchester went close on the hour when Noah Chilvers burst into the area and sailed past two challenges before seeing his shot deflected for a corner.

But at the other end, George pulled off a fantastic diving save to his left to push Nevitt's effort away for a corner, when it looked destined for the top corner.

It looked like the game was destined to finish as a draw, before substitute Tchamadeu popped up with a huge winner.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Coxe, Chambers, Dallison (sub Eastman, 79), Kenlock, Skuse, Wiredu, Chilvers, Hannant (sub Tchamadeu, 89), Akinde (sub Judge, 52), Sears.

Subs (not used): Huws, Andrews, Thomas, Hornby.

U’s man of the match: Shamal George.

Tranmere Rovers: Murphy, Dacres-Cogley, Clarke, MacDonald, Davies, Merrie, Hawkes (sub Jolley, 77), Foley, Warrington, Nevitt, Hemmings.

Subs (not used): Knight-Percival, Spearing, McManaman, Maynard, McPake, Doohan.

Referee: Carl Brook.

Goal: Colchester: Tchamadeu (90).

Bookings: Colchester: Skuse (foul, 73), Hannant (foul, 81). Tranmere: Foley (unsporting behaviour, 81), Jolley (foul, 84).

Attendance: 2,459 (307 Tranmere fans).