YOU can’t beat the man that never gives up.

Danny Cowley’s adage proved particularly accurate on Good Friday, after his Colchester United side bagged a stoppage-time winner to beat Newport County and claim a hugely important victory.

Cowley’s teams always go right until the end and just like they did in their first game of his reign at Swindon Town, the U’s showed their character by overcoming a deficit to claim something from the game, which on this occasion was three valuable points.

Not that they should have been behind.

READ MORE: Colchester United fans have their say on Newport victory

Colchester were the better side throughout and really did not deserve to be trailing to Offrande Zanzala’s first-half strike.

The U’s created the better chances, hit the woodwork through Alistair Smith and found Newport goalkeeper Nick Townsend in fine form.

They had to remain patient and in the end, it was their substitutions that helped to turn the scoreline in their favour, something acknowledged by Graham Coughlan afterwards.

“I thought their bench won them the game – it’s a very, very strong bench and we just don’t have that,” said the Exiles boss, who acknowledged Colchester fully merited their win.

Gazette: Colchester United

Samson Tovide made an immediate impact in attack with his robustness and physicality, Ellis Iandolo offered greater balance and composure on the left and popped up with the U’s all-important equaliser, while Noah Chilvers, Tom Hopper and Fiacre Kelleher, who made a welcome return after injury, also contributed off the bench.

In the end, it was Colchester’s best player on the day that grabbed their vital winner.

Jay Mingi had been outstanding throughout for the U’s at centre-half and when he popped up at the other end of the pitch in the closing stages, he still had plenty of work to do.

READ MORE: Player ratings after Colchester United beat Newport County

But the former Portsmouth player’s emphatic finish from a tricky angle epitomised his excellent performance; it was a great way for him to open his Colchester account.

The celebrations after the goal reflected its importance, particularly as Sutton United had won 2-1 at Salford City.

That result at Moor Lane made the U’s win over Newport even more crucial; they remain a point above the League Two drop zone but now with eight games remaining and importantly, games in hand on all of the sides around them.

A tough trip to mid-table Tranmere Rovers awaits on Easter Monday but they will head to Wirral with renewed confidence, after the Newport win.