If ever Colchester United had cause to be optimistic about their chances of staying in Division Two then now is the time.

Because in recording one of the most breathtaking triumphs in Layer Road history, the team displayed spirit, determination and talent in monumental measure.

And what a month ago bore the hallmarks of being a long, hard winter dogged by relegation has suddenly developed into a time for renewed hope.

In short - on the evidence of this performance - the U's should be looking to claw their way into the division's upper reaches instead of over their shoulders at the basement-dwellers.

Because in fighting back from 3-1 down they demonstrated the ability to more than match teams tipped for the top.

It seemed fitting that substitute Lomana Tresor Lua Lua - destined to play a crucial role in the latter half of the season - should score the winner with his only genuine contribution.

With just over 60 seconds left - and most U's fans toasting a hard-fought point - the Zaire-born substitute shrugged aside three defenders before unleashing a stunning shot past goalkeeper Lee Jones.

The goal sparked wild scenes of celebration - just as two earlier goals from Karl Duguid had when even a share of the spoils seemed unlikely.

With the Pirates leading 3-2, the pacy striker levelled matters by side-footing home a pinpoint cross from Steve McGavin.

Then, with eight minutes left, Duguid blasted the hosts into the lead with a thunderbolt shot after being gifted possession just outside the area.

But Rovers proved their resilience with an equaliser four minutes from time.

Robbie Pethick burst into space down the right and launched a cross-shot which cannoned off the bar before being steered home by Nathan Ellington.

United manager Steve Whitton later complained the ball should have been cleared before reaching the teenage substitute.

And the U's chief also cited dubious defending as the reason his team found themselves behind after just 12 minutes.

Jason Roberts latched onto a through ball from Trevor Challis and, with the defence waiting for an offside flag, bundled the ball home after being denied by Simon Brown and then Aaron Skelton on the line.

It was no more than the visitors deserved after a lively start but McGavin ensured honours were even at the break by heading home a sweeping free-kick from Skelton.

Woeful defending cost United again two minutes after the interval when a shocking back-pass from David Greene was intercepted by Roberts who tucked his shot beyond Brown.

Then it was the turn of Ipswich loanee Titus Bramble to lose his concentration by sending David Pritchard sprawling in the box. The teenager, making his Layer Road debut, was booked and now faces a ban.

Referee Alan Butler had no hesitation in awarding a penalty and Jamie Cureton made no mistake.

Thankfully for United, the former Norwich star did fail from the spot shortly afterwards when the transfer-listed Greene tripped Mark Walters. This time Cureton's shot crashed off the bar.

The U's gave themselves a fighting chance in the 62nd minute when McGavin made it 3-2 with a looping shot from just outside the area.

That inspired a Colchester fightback and the rest, as they say, is history. A quite remarkable match is already entrenched in Layer Road folklore.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.