TOM Eastman scored a dramatic late winner as Colchester United claimed a 1-0 win over Bradford City tonight.

Eastman, on his 400th league appearances for the U's rose to powerfully head home Noah Chilvers' inswinging free-kick into the area in the seventh minute of stoppage time to give the hosts their first league win of the season.

It was a fine victory for Colchester, who battled hard in what was an entertaining contest at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester made two changes to their starting line-up, following the defeat at Stockport County.

Alex Newby and Cameron Coxe were both handed starts, with Ryan Clampin and Junior Tchamadeu dropping out.

U’s boss Wayne Brown reverted to a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Frank Nouble utilised in a left-sided attacking role.

Colchester were looking for an improved display, following their disappointing performance at Stockport last weekend.

And they started the game well, playing with a zip and showing attacking intent from the off.

However, Bradford came close to taking a ninth-minute lead when Scott Banks advances towards goal before curling a shot just wide of the far post from 20 yards.

And the visitors went close again nine minutes later through Alex Gilliead, who was allowed too much time to advance towards goal before firing in a low shot that goalkeeper Sam Hornby gathered.

But Colchester came desperately close to taking the lead in the 26th minute when Nouble’s powerful header from Luke Hannant’s high cross rattled the crossbar.

It was an open first half after that, with both sides looking to attack and break the deadlock.

But the sides went in level at the break, following an entertaining opening 45 minutes.

Colchester tried to lift the tempo again in the early stages of the second half and Noah Chilvers saw his shot into the ground sail straight to keeper Harry Lewis.

Lewis then made an even better save soon after when he palmed away Newby's close-range effort, after Chilvers had burst down the left and picked him out.

But Bradford went close when Vadaine Oliver's close-range header flashed just past the post.

And with ten minutes remaining, Hornby made an excellent save to push away substitute Kian Harratt's fierce shot, after a devastating Bradford counter attack.

Bradford felt they should have had a late penalty when substitute Lee Angol tumbled in the box but referee Carl Brook waved away the claims, much to Bradford's dismay.

Seven minutes of stoppage time was added on at the end and Eastman headed home to send the majority of the stadium into raptures.

There was still time for Bradford substitute Andy Cook to hit a post before the end, as the U's claimed an important win.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: Hornby, Coxe, Chambers, Eastman, Kazeem, Marley Miranda, Chilvers, Hannant (sub Akinde, 88), Newby, Nouble (sub Clampin, 72), Sears.

Subs (not used): Tchamadeu, Dallison, Ashley, Tovide, Collins.

Bradford City: Lewis, Halliday, Ridehalgh, Platt, Smallwood, Gilliead, Banks, Oliver (sub Cook, 79), Chapman (sub Harratt, 79), Young (sub Angol, 46), Crichlow.

Subs (not used): Doyle, Songo'o, Foulds, East, Cook.

U's man of the match: Al-Amin Kazeem.

Referee: Carl Brook (Scotland).

Goal: Colchester: Tom Eastman (90).

Bookings: Bradford: Platt (unsporting behaviour, 44), Angol (unsporting behaviour, 74), Halliday (foul, 77).

Attendance: 3,011 (467 Bradford fans).