COLCHESTER United's match-winner, David Perkins, admitted that the U's made hard work of beating relegation-haunted Swindon Town.A brace of first-half headers from Clive Platt, and a second-half strike from midfielder Perkins, proved just enough to beat stubborn Swindon.
Carl Marston
COLCHESTER United's match-winner, David Perkins, admitted that the U's made hard work of beating relegation-haunted Swindon Town.
A brace of first-half headers from Clive Platt, and a second-half strike from midfielder Perkins, proved just enough to beat stubborn Swindon.
The visitors had twice grabbed equalisers through a Simon Cox penalty, and a cracking shot from Reading loanee Hal Robson-Kanu. But in the end they could not quite live with the U's, who have now taken 11 points from a possible 15 in their last five games.
“It was a good game and we're happy with the three points, but we made hard work of it,” confessed Perkins, whose winner arrived in the 72nd minute.
“We should have been three-up before Swindon even got started. We always thought that we might get punished for missing these chances, and that's what happened.
“In the end we had to dig deep and show some great character. I thought we were poor in the second half but I'm delighted to have got the winner.
“To be honest, my shot could have gone anywhere. It hit a defender and went in, so I'm happy.
“We always knew that the goals would come for Clive Platt. We always believed in him, and it was a great time for him to score the second goal, just before half-time.
“We wanted to get the third goal early in the second half, but it didn't quite happen. It was backs-to-the-wall at times, but confidence is high and we can't wait for Crewe on Saturday,” added Perkins.
U's boss Paul Lambert said: “I thought we were incredible for the first 20 minutes. We could have been three or four up, but we looked tired towards the end.
“Clive Platt is on a roll at the moment. He's been terrific for us, and deserved his ovation from the fans. We are grinding out results and doing well.”
Meanwhile, the U's have been linked with Cheltenham Town winger Ashley Vincent, and a possible loan deal.
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