TWO-GOAL striker David Mooney was quick to praise the contribution of strike partner Kayode Odejayi following Colchester United’s 4-3 victory over Bradford City.

Mooney – who is set to return to parent club Reading in January – took his goal tally to eight for the U’s on Saturday courtesy of a fantastic volley and a cool spot-kick.

It means he has already equalled the number of goals he scored throughout the whole of last season for Reading and previous loan club Charlton.

It was tireless strike partner Odejayi who claimed the man-of-the-match award though after creating a host of problems for the visiting backline all game and playing a big part in the U’s first two goals.

“He works so hard and it opens up more space for me,” said Mooney.

“The two of us are good mates off the pitch, we want each other to do well and I think that shows on the pitch.”

Irishman Mooney started the season playing at the tip of a three man strike force, but following a string of draws he admitted he was beginning to feel increasingly isolated in that role.

U’s boss John Ward eventually abandoned his 4-3-3 formation when his side went 1-0 down against Notts County towards the end of last month, Odejayi coming on and Mooney playing off of him in a more traditional 4-4-2.

And the alteration has worked wonders, Colchester not only coming back to win that game 2-1 but also winning the three games that followed.

“I’m enjoying playing in that deeper role,” said Mooney.

“I set up Bondy’s goal today, I’ve almost got Kay away once or twice and while I know I need to sharpen up on my passing, I think in general it’s been working okay.

“We’ve conceded a few more goals lately because we’ve been a little bit more open, but that’s also allowed us to score more goals too and at the moment we feel like we can outscore teams.

“Today we’ve been pegged back twice in the first half, but we knew if we continued playing that we would get in front again.

“Even the other night (against Leyton Orient) when we went 2-0 down we all felt there were goals in the game for us.

“The manager keeps lifting us and just says if we keep playing the way we are we will win games.”

Mooney added: “We’re in a very positive position now. We’re third in the league and in the next round of the FA Cup.

“Hopefully the fans have gone away entertained from the last two or three home games and we can keep it going.”