Tranmere 3 Colchester United 4KIT Symons will never forget his first match in charge of Colchester United, following a night of high drama at Tranmere Rovers.

Carl Marston

KIT Symons will never forget his first match in charge of Colchester United, following a night of high drama at Tranmere Rovers.

The U's clinched a remarkable 4-3 victory at Prenton Park, but that only told half the story of a rollercoaster ride.

The odds were shortening by the minute on Symons' chances of landing the U's managerial job full-time, after his charged-up side roared into a 4-1 lead after just 47 minutes.

Symons had asked for a response from his players, following the dismal home defeat by MK Dons and the subsequent departure of manager Geraint Williams.

But even in his wildest dreams, the former Welsh centre-half could not have dreamt of enjoying, and then enduring, such a heart-stopping start to his reign as caretaker.

Williams will no doubt have allowed himself a wry smile on hearing the news of his old team's stunning result. The Welshman had left the club by mutual consent just five days earlier.

Goals from David Perkins, Mark Yeates, Clive Platt and Johnnie Jackson had put United in the driving seat, with Tranmere's only response coming from an Anthony Kay header.

But any hopes of the U's cantering to a comfortable victory were soon dashed. Both of Rovers full-backs, Andy Taylor and Ryan Shotton, netted from long range and the visitors were staring down the barrel for the final 12 minutes.

But they held on to ensure a winning start to Symons' reign.