Colchester United striker Samson Tovide scored at Port Vale

The 20-year-old striker scored a poacher’s goal right out of the Manchester City forward’s repertoire after bagging a late equaliser in the U’s 1-1 draw at Port Vale.

Tovide was lurking in the six-yard box to tuck home after Vale goalkeeper Connor Ripley had parried away substitute JK Gordon’s strike.

READ MORE: U's battling draw at Port Vale was just what they needed

And the talented young forward says he is keen to score more goals just like that in League Two, for Danny Cowley’s side.

Tovide said: “As a striker, they’re the goals you want to get and I was glad I was there to score it and help the guys out.

“If you watch Erling Haaland for example, he’s always in the right position.

“I think last season, I probably missed out a lot from just not being in that area but I’m improving and learning.

“I think it came off my knee – I’ll take those all day.

“JK is always practising coming on his right and shooting in training, so I thought I’d wait there and hope that the keeper parried it and I could tap it in.”

(Image: MATT WILKINSON)

Tovide was a target for the Vale boo boys in the League Two clash but the U’s striker had the last laugh with his equalising goal, his third of the season.

He said: “That’s a lesson to them (the Port Vale supporters) – don’t ever talk too early!

“I’m happy with that – I scored my goal and shut them up so they can’t say anymore!

“There are games like that when things aren’t going your way for 60, 70 minutes.

“But the boys have the experience and were encouraging me to keep going.

READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after draw at Port Vale

“I’m still young, I’m still learning and that extra bit of help keeps you going and you get your rewards, so thank you to the boys.

“Last season was a bit stop-start for me, with my ankle.

“But the gaffer and everyone have been great helping me with my fitness, recovering from games so I feel as fit as I can be.”

Tovide struck to secure a point for Colchester against Port Vale, who had led through substitute Jesse Debrah’s 55th-minute opener.

(Image: MATT WILKINSON)

Tovide said: “We knew coming into it that they keep the ball a lot.

“It’s a big pitch and we came with a game plan to just try and hit them on the counter.

“They got their goal but we dug in towards the end and I got my reward, as did the whole of the team.

“Credit to their back three – they closed all the spaces and didn’t give me any space to run in behind.

“But that’s football and we have to deal with it and I thought the team dug in well.

READ MORE: Darren Moore's verdict on Port Vale draw with Colchester

“We went in at half-time at 0-0 and it was a good team performance.

“We kept ourselves in it, didn’t let our heads drop and we got our rewards at the end, so credit to the boys.

“JK, Payney and Lyle can come on and change a game like that and we knew that we would get chances, towards the end.”

Colchester now turn their attention to this weekend’s home clash with struggling Carlisle United, where they will be aiming to build on their midweek away point.

(Image: MATT WILKINSON)

Tovide added: “It’s a big game on Saturday and it’s all about consistency.

“Can we back it up? That’s the question, so we’ll see on Saturday.

“It’s about making sure that we’re on it every game and controlling our emotions and the performance will take care of itself.

“With the performance (against Port Vale) and our home form, we’ll see what happens.”