Dallison’s late winner gives U’s home relief

WAYNE Brown praised the effort of his Colchester United players after their first home victory since November.

Tom Dallison’s 85th-minute header from Noah Chilvers’ corner sealed the relegation-threatened U’s a crucial win, ending Vale’s nine-match unbeaten run.

Colchester interim head coach Brown said: “It makes a change for the lads, having that feeling in the home dressing room.

“They worked extremely hard and were extremely disciplined.

“It was a really good performance, something that we’ve put a little bit of work into on Friday.

“It was all about nullifying their threat and that’s why we set up the way we did.

“We knew that they would push their two wing-backs on in advanced positions and it’s something we had to look after.

“It was all about the lads keeping the belief and keeping the discipline, because we knew that we were always going to get a chance and that proved the case. We’ve all got to stick together, keep the faith and keep buying into getting three points.”

David Worrall fired into the side netting for Vale early on and Harry Charsley fired straight at Colchester keeper Shamal George.

Colchester striker Freddie Sears’ shot flashed wide but after the break, George saved Worrall’s deflected shot before pushing away Mal Benning’s attempted cross from underneath his own crossbar.

After Dallison had given Colchester the lead, heading in from close range following a corner, George made a fine save from substitute Jamie Proctor, as the hosts claimed a precious win.

Vale boss Darrell Clarke was absent because of a family bereavement and assistant Andy Crosby said: “I am bitterly disappointed. In the first half we were outfought and outbattled.

“We got out run, we did not win enough duels and when we got the ball we were so ponderous and so slow.

“We did improve in the second half and won more of the ball, but we were still lacking creativity in the final third.

“We committed the cardinal sin of conceding a goal from a set play. We did not come here to draw nil-nil, take the clean sheet and the point to move on.”