AIDY Boothroyd rates this afternoon's 1-0 win over Oldham as Colchester's 'biggest of the season'.The visitors were twice denied by the woodwork in this match, while a much-changed U's defence produced an excellent rearguard action to keep the lively Latics out.

Stuart Watson

AIDY Boothroyd rates this afternoon's 1-0 win over Oldham as Colchester's 'biggest of the season'.

The visitors were twice denied by the woodwork in this match, while a much-changed U's defence produced an excellent rearguard action to keep the lively Latics out.

"We rode our luck at times," admitted the Colchester boss.

"This is our biggest win of the season for me because Oldham were good today.

"We will play a lot better than that and not get anything in the future I am sure, but we got the three points and that's all that matters.

"We are showing we are difficult to beat and keep grinding out the results."

With Leeds United drawing and Norwich City losing it was a great afternoon for the U's. The Essex side are now just one point off the automatic promotion places and four points off the top.

The U's made three enforced changes to their side this afternoon after Magnus Okuonghae (shoulder) and Kayode Odejayi (knee) both failed late fitness tests, while John White was absent due to the fact that his partner had just undergone an operation.

"It threw our preparations out the window," admitted Boothroyd, who brought in the trio of Danny Batth, Phil Ifil and Steven Gillespie. "But the lads that came in and did really well.

"Ben Williams deserved to be named man-of-the-match because he was outstanding, but there were a few that ran him very close."

Colchester now host Brentford on Tuesday night looking to gain revenge for their defeat at Griffin Park earlier in the season.

- Full match reaction in Monday's EADT.

"With John White, Magnus (Okuonghae) and Kayode (Odejayi) all out everything went out of the window, but the other lads came in and did really well."