COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert praised his defensive quartet for a top-notch performance in last night's classic 1-0 away display at third-placed Millwall.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert praised his defensive quartet for a top-notch performance in last night's classic 1-0 away display at third-placed Millwall.

Goal poacher Clive Platt came up trumps with a sweet header, from Mark Yeates's delightful cross, to seal a ninth away league win of the season.

Platt's lethal header arrived with just six minutes remaining, and was a huge blow to the Lions, who had won six of their previous seven matches. They found the U's back four too stubborn to break down.

“I suppose it was the perfect away performance, in front of a passionate crowd against a team who are going well in the league,” said Lambert.

“I thought our back four were magnificent. Pat Baldwin had his best game for me, while everyone knows how good Marc Tierney is, and Alan Maybury for that matter.

“Neal Trotman has just come in [on loan from Preston], and I thought he was as good as he was on his debut at Leicester. Overall, the back four were back to the kind of form I expect them to be in.

“When I arrived the club were down in 21st spot, so it's a terrific effort to be where we are, in 10th place. And I won't be giving up hope [on the play-offs] until someone tells me that it is not possible.”

The U's are still a distant 10 points adrift of the top six, with just six games left, but at least Platt's towering header has given them a great chance of finishing in the top 10.

Lambert continued: “Clive Platt has been excellent for me this season, and he's beginning to have a good understanding with Karl Hawley.

“I'm delighted for him. He deserved his goal.

“It was a good way to bounce back, after Saturday's defeat [3-0] at Scunthorpe, when we were decent in the first half but poor in the second.

“This result sets us up nicely for Saturday's big game against Leeds.”