Swindon Town 0 Colchester United 1

MICHAEL Rose struck a hammer-blow against his old club to continue Joe Dunne’s 100% start to his Colchester United managerial career, at Swindon tonight.

Left-back Rose, who had left Swindon to join the U’s in the summer of 2011, blasted home the only goal of the game, on 69 minutes, with a quality free-kick at the County Ground.

Rose left Robins keeper Wes Foderingham flapping at thin air as his 25-yard free-kick flashed beyond the defensive wall and low into the near corner of the net.

It was Rose’s second goal of the season, following his spectacular long-range equaliser in last month’s 2-2 home draw against Portsmouth.

Furthermore, it was no more than the U’s deserved for a battling display against Paolo Di Canio’s high-flying hosts.

Dunne’s men never gave Swindon time to settle. Magnus Okunoghae and Tom Eastman were pillars of strength at the back, while Arsenal loanee Craig Eastmond delivered another impressive display in the heart of midfield.

The hosts became more and more frustrated, as the evening wore on, and once Rose had blasted home his thunderous free-kick, there was never miuch danger of a comeback.

Following hot on the heels of the U’s first win of the season, in Dunne’s first game in charge against Hartlepool on Saturday, these are encouraging times at the Essex club.

Six points out of six has propelled the U’s away from the relegation zone, with the promise of even better things to come.

Squads

SWINDON TOWN: Foderhingham, McEveley, Archibald-Henville, Bessone, Navarro (sub Ferry, 58), Ritchie, McCormack, Miller, De Vita (sub Rooney, 67), Williams, Benson (sub Collins, 56). Unused subs: Bedwell, Devera, Ward, Bostick.

COLCHESTER UNITED: Cousins, Wilson, Okuonghae, Eastman, Rose, Bean, Eastmond, Wordsworth, Massey (sub Henderson, 79), Ibehre (sub Morrison, 79), Watt (sub Sears, 72). Unused subs: Pentney, Heath, Duguid, White.

Referee: Iain Williamson (Berkshire)

Attendance: 7,443