COLCHESTER United are buzzing after Friday night's scintillating 4-3 victory at Tranmere Rovers, but man-of-the-match Mark Yeates is determined to ensure that it's not just a “one off.

Carl Marston

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United are buzzing after Friday night's scintillating 4-3 victory at Tranmere Rovers, but man-of-the-match Mark Yeates is determined to ensure that it's not just a “one off.”

The U's return to action tomorrow evening, when a big crowd is anticipated for caretaker manager Kit Symons' first home match in charge, against promotion favourites Leicester City.

Yeates had a loan spell with the Foxes during the second half of the 2006-07 season, while on the books of Tottenham, so he would love to help inspire the U's to their first ever win at the new Weston Homes Community Stadium.

“I know many of the lads at Leicester, and I know it's going to be a tough game. But we want to make sure that the result and performance from Tranmere is not a one-off,” insisted Yeates.

“The chairman (Robbie Cowling) had come out and said that the players had let the gaffer (Geraint Williams) down after the MK Dons game, so this result was for him and for ourselves.

“I thought we showed a lot of bottle. But next time I want us to win 4-0 rather than 4-3!”

Yeates was at his vintage best against Tranmere. He scored from a wonder free-kick to put the U's 2-1 up after 15 minutes, and also had a hand in the U's other three goals, which were netted by David Perkins, Clive Platt and Johnnie Jackson.

The Dubliner has now bagged three goals for the season, following his brace in the 2-2 home draw against Oldham. He is therefore the joint leading scorer with Steven Gillespie, who serves the third and last of his three-match suspension against Leicester.

“I didn't think the score-line was a true reflection of the game,” remarked Yeates, following the U's second league win of the season.

“We played some really good football and I thought that even at 4-1 ahead we were unlucky not to have scored a few more.

“We showed that we are a confident team when we get the ball, This win was something that we needed. It's a massive for us.

“There was a lot of stick being thrown about from everywhere, after the defeat at MK Dons (3-0 at home). That was a hard day. We were unhappy with ourselves and our own performance, but we are all looking forward now.

“I had been unlucky with my free-kicks this season. I had hit the bar and the post - and hit the post against MK Dons, so I was delighted to score with this one at Tranmere.

“I felt good throughout the match. Our movement and passing was crisp,” added Yeates.

The U's had stuck with a 4-4-2 formation during their first nine league and cup games under former boss Williams this season, but Symons changed the shape by operating with a 4-5-1 system at Prenton Park.

Clive Platt was the lone front-man, although the clever movement of wingers Yeates and Jackson ensured that the formation was fluid, often amounting to a 4-3-3.

Yeates confirmed: “All I want to do is get on the ball and help the team, I had more freedom in this formation, and it was good to have a part to play in all the goals.

“We are lucky to have Clive Platt playing up front. There is not a better target man in the league, we know that.

“I'll basically play wherever I am asked. I enjoyed every minute of playing under Geraint Williams. I just want to give my all to Colchester United.

“The late goals meant that it was nail-biting at the end. But we got through it.

“Coming down from the Championship, people are expecting us to roll over teams like Tranmere this season. We have the bottle, and we need that to get out of this league.”