HERO FOR U’S for Colchester to joy of McGreal
“We’re going to have plenty of challenges this season and it’s our job to respond over the next couple of games.
“When you’re trying to push and press we had to make sure we didn’t concede a second goal and we created some good chances of our own, but we just didn’t manage to to get the ball over the line.
“The players did their best and I’m philosophical about the result – we have to remember that we’re in a good position in the league and keep on pushing forwards.”
U’s boss John McGreal recognised the result not as a blow struck in the promotion race, but merely a rapid response STAR MAN LUKE PROSSER Colchester United to last weekend’s 4-0 defeat at Carlisle. “It’s no more than three points for us and I don’t want us to get carried away with the result, it was a good response from my players from Carlisle,” he said. “We’d worked on that corner routine during the week and we’re up there as one of the leading teams in terms of goals scored from set pieces this season. “They had some opportunities and they hit the side netting just before we scored, but we adapted our shape and personnel and managed to see the game out in the end. It’s three points and nothing else has been won. Yes, we have come away from a top of the table side and won the game but we’re up there with them as well.
“Last week’s game was out of character for us and it was pleasing to put that right.
“Luke Prosser felt really down last week, but with him being the skipper he was right at it at the start of this week and he more than deserved to get the winning goal.”
The visitors took the lead when defender Prosser reacted sharply to Colchester’s first corner, looping a right-footed effort over the head of Dons keeper Lee Nicholls for his first goal of the season.
Tisdale, who has never lost a home game to Colchester as a manager in the EFL, took his chance to turn the tide with a double half-time substitution that changed the game. Chuks Aneke, who was introduced at the interval, went close on the 50-minute mark but the frontman’s long-range shot flew inches over the crossbar.
The hosts rallied hard and were piling on the pressure when fellow substitute Oussey-nou Cisse went close with an effort of his own moments later.
But the best chance fell to Luke Norris, who should have doubled Colchester’s lead with 15 minutes to go only to lean back on his effort and send it over the bar, as The U’s held on for an impressive victory.
MK DONS: Nicholls 5, Williams 6, Houghton 6, Cargill 6, McGrandles 7, Gilbey 6, D’Ath 6, Cisse 6 (Sow 74, 5), Lewington 5, Agard 6 (Pawlett 56, 5), Healey 5 (Aneke 46, 7). Subs not used: Watson, Hancox, Simpson, Moore.
COLCHESTER UNITED: Gilmartin 7, Jackson 7, Kent 6, Prosser 8, Eastman 6, Pell 7, Lapslie 5, Nouble 6, Szmodics 7 (Comley 90, 5), Dickenson 7, Norris 7 (Mandron 86, 5). Subs not used: D Barnes, Senior, Wright, Gondoh, Kensadale.