ASHLEY Vincent says scoring a winner against Swindon today would make up for the long-term injury he sustained in the reverse fixture.

The Colchester United winger may have scored the first goal of Aidy Boothroyd’s managerial regime at The County Ground last September, but it came at a heavy price.

In the process of volleying his side in front after 21 minutes, the 24-year-old collided heavily with defender Kevin Amankwaah and was stretchered off with an ankle injury which would subsequently keep him out for nearly six months.

“Looking back I would rather have not scored that goal and played my part for the last six months,” admitted the 24-year-old.

“But if I score on Saturday and it puts us back in the top six then it will make up for all of that.”

Vincent made his first team return at the end of February in the 3-2 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

Since then the U’s have failed to register a win in seven further attempts, Vincent playing a part in six of those games.

Colchester’s latest failure came on Monday with a 2-1 home defeat to Millwall which, once again, proved to be a bitter-sweet experience for Vincent.

Because although the pacey winger looked back to his intimidating best, constantly tormenting his marker with his direct runs, he was also guilty of missing two glorious chances to open the scoring.

After firing wide from an unmarked position and blazing over from close range, Vincent is no desperate to get on the scoresheet as soon as possible.

He said: “I’ll hold my hands up and say that I should have put the game to bed. I’ve been out for a long time but I’m not going to blame it on that.

“Throughout my career I’ve got into positions to score goals and I’m disappointed that on Monday I didn’t manage to take them.

“I really do think I should have got two goals. I’ve come to the stage in my life now where they should be going in. I know I need to make amends and I will do so.

“I really do think someone is going to walk away from here soon on the end of a heavy beating.”