George Elokobi cracked home the best goal of his career, to send Colchester United into the League Two top seven tonight.

The Cameroon-born defender’s wonder goal sunk Wycombe Wanderers, putting the U’s back on track for a possible crack at the end-of-season play-offs.

After the final whistle, centre-half Elokobi declared his 25-yard scorcher, which sailed over keeper Jamal Blackman in the 13th minute, to be “the best goal” of his career.

The veteran defender then played a key role in the U’s keeping a precious clean-sheet, to wrap up a second league double of the season for John McGreal’s men.

“That was the best goal of my career, it’s certainly up there!” enthused Elokobi.

“I have never scored a cracker like that before.

“But as soon as the ball left my foot, I knew it was a goal. It was definitely an instinctive effort from me. As soon as I turned I knew that there was only one thing on my mind.

“I hoped that the ball would end up in the back of the net, and thankfully it did that, rather than fly over the bar.”

Elokobi was just as happy with the team’s clean-sheet, as his own dream goal.

He continued: “Everyone dug deep today. We knew what we were going to be facing, going up against some strong opposition and a big man in Ade Akinfenwa.

“We had a different back-four, with young Cameron James coming in for his first start, and he was tremendous for us!”

Meanwhile, manager John McGreal enthused: “It was a real derby game, I’ve got to know the history between the two clubs.

“I thought we did really well and it was a great strike from the big man (Elokobi).

“It was a fantastic strike. We all know that he has got a lovely left foot, but I never really saw how he got the ball and he has managed to find the top corner. It was a great goal.

“After that, we had to dig in. We expected it, by changing our shape (to four at the back) because Wycombe came at us from all angles. They do it very well.

“After our poor performance at Accrington Stanley on Saturday (2-1 defeat), we have had to regroup and we have found the best way to win a game to pout us in the top seven.”