COLCHESTER United manager John Ward has ordered his players to enjoy themselves after they ended a four-game losing streak with a 1-0 home victory over Oldham Athletic tonight.

After Ashley Vincent’s well-taken 52nd goal sealed victory in front of just 2,892 – the lowest ever crowd for a league game since The Weston Homes Community Stadium opened in 2008 – Ward said: “I’ve ordered my players to enjoy themselves for the next 24 hours. Not too much or in the wrong manner, but I think they deserve it after coming through a difficult patch.

“I don’t know how much criticism we’ve been getting because I’m old enough now not to listen to the radio or read the newspapers. I don’t even know how to go on the internet for these ‘tweet’ things.

“Not many people have come tonight but the ones that were here supported us really well. And anyone who did want to grumble will now have to be quiet for a bit until we lose again.

“I’m just really, really pleased for my players tonight because they’ve never stopped trying, but I’m probably more delighted for our chairman (Robbie Cowling) who has always stuck with what we’re trying to do.

“He’s got his heart and a lot more in this football club and for him to get any criticism is unfair.”

Reflecting on the game, Ward added: “There were one or two nail-biting moments because 1-0 is always precarious, but we stuck to the task.

“We’ve lived the 90 minutes at both ends, Ben Williams has made some good saves and we were able to find that goal we haven’t been able to in recent games.

“It was a fantastic finish (by Vincent) worthy of winning any game. He’s had to cover an exceptionally long bit of ground and after that pace and power showed calmness to finish.

“It was a big relief and a thoroughly enjoyable moment for everyone.”

– Full report and ratings in tomorrow’s EADT.