Colchester United loanee Elliott Hewitt bagged his first-ever career goal – and then dedicated it to his late pal Richard Butcher.

Hewitt’s impressive solo strike sealed the U’s important 2-0 win at Peterborough United, lifting them to within a point of safety in League One.

It was the 20-year-old’s first professional goal and Hewitt was quick to acknowledge his former Macclesfield Town team-mate Butcher, who tragically died from a rare heart condition in January, 2011, at the age of 29.

Butcher also played 43 times for Peterborough during his career and after scoring at London Road, Hewitt tweeted: “4 years today R.I.P. Butch! That goal's for you at your old ground.”

Hewitt revealed he was about to be substituted shortly before he scored Colchester’s second goal with six minutes to go, at Peterborough.

“I was meant to be coming off just before I scored as my groin was tight but luckily I stayed on and got my goal,” said the Ipswich Town loanee, who was eventually withdrawn soon after he scored and replaced by Gavin Massey.

“I was made up that it went in and it’s about time.

“If I’m playing more forward, goals are something I need to get in my game and hopefully, I can push on from here and get more now.”

For more on this story and five pages of coverage of the U's win at Peterborough United, including pictures, report, analysis and reaction, see Monday's Daily Gazette.