COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert refused to take the credit for unleashing super sub Scott Vernon, who obliged with an 87th minute winner at Brighton.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert refused to take the credit for unleashing super sub Scott Vernon, who obliged with an 87th minute winner at Brighton.

“Scott (Vernon) didn't really deserve to be sitting on the substitutes' bench in the first place,” admitted Lambert.

“But I wanted to freshen up things, and not everyone can play two games in three days. I needed to make a change.

“I played with Clive Platt up front on his own, because the plan was for the midfielders to flood forward, but this didn't really happen in the first half.

“We therefore put Mark (Yeates) up with him for the start of the second half, and Scott then came on and got us the winner. He had needed a rest. It's a big ask to play so many games in so short a time.

“I thought we were excellent in the second half. We had the wind with us. It is a hard place to play, because although the crowd was decent, there was absolutely no atmosphere. In the end, this was a big, big win for us,” added Lambert.

The U's are now hoping to chalk up what would be only their third home win of the season, when Leyton Orient visit tomorrow.

Lambert said: “We know all about Leyton Orient, because they knocked us out of the FA Cup. They turned us over (1-0 defeat), and deserved to beat us.

“We're not a good enough team yet to just turn up and win games, so we have to work hard every game.

“Johnnie Jackson took a knock on his hamstring, so he could be doubtful,” added Lambert.

It is likely, therefore, that striker Vernon will come in for midfielder Jackson against the O's. That might be the only change.