MODEST goalkeeper Ben Williams refuses to take all the credit for Colchester United's narrow victory over Oldham.The 27-year-old former Manchester United trainee made a brave point-blank stop to prevent Pawel Abbott giving his side the lead midway through the second half.

Stuart Watson

MODEST goalkeeper Ben Williams refuses to take all the credit for Colchester United's narrow victory over Oldham.

The 27-year-old former Manchester United trainee made a brave point-blank stop to prevent Pawel Abbott giving his side the lead midway through the second half.

And after Danny Batth had headed the U's in front, the home keeper made a string of further saves from the in-form Polish striker to protect his side's fragile lead.

It takes Williams' clean sheet tally to 14 for the season, but the modest Mancunian reserved praise for the patched-up defence in front of him.

“I think, as a team, we defended really well second half,” said the U's keeper.

“Thank you for your praise, but that's what I'm in here for - to keep the ball out the net.

“There were a couple of times where I rode my luck and things went my way, while I've also got to thank the lads for throwing themselves in front of the ball on other occasions.

“I'd love to take credit for the close-range save but there was an element of luck. All I could do was stay big and thankfully the ball just hit me.

“And when I was beaten at the end, Danny (Batth) gets a great touch on the ball which takes all the pace off it and deflects it onto the bar.

“I must admit though it was one of those days where I just felt they weren't going to score.”

Williams was unfortunate to concede 12 goals in two games last month as Colchester were demolished by Preston and Norwich, but you'd have to say that if player-of-the-season awards were being dished out now he'd be first in line.

“I think that's 12 clean sheets in the league

now and 14 in all competitions - not that I'm counting!” said Williams, who played behind the partnership of Matt Heath and Batth for the first time.

“The defence was different, but luckily we train with a different back four all the time. Credit has to go to the manager there actually as he always mixes it up in training.”

He added: “We're creating a bit of a fortress at home now and everyone here believes we can go up automatically.”