Simon Brown had another chance to stake a claim for a new Colchester United contract in last night's Auto Windscreens Shield first round tie against Swansea.

The former Tottenham Hotspur keeper, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Friday, has experienced a bumpy ride after signing two short-term deals for the U's since the start of the season - the latest of which runs out next week.

Sent-off inside the first three minutes of his home debut - the second match of the season, against Crystal Palace in the Worthington Cup - he was an ever present between the sticks in League games until a training ground back injury cost him his place to Lincoln City loanee John Vaughan.

Restored to the number one spot because Vaughan does not want to become cup-tied, he was hoping to get his show back on the road again with a good performance at the Vetch Field.

"It's great to be back," said Brown before last night's game. "I haven't enjoyed the smoothest of rides this season, but my back feels good now and I have every confidence in myself.

"The manager has indicated to me there isn't a problem about a new contract. He said he was not going to look for another keeper."

Brown said the team - which was to show at least four changes from the line-up that beat Chesterfield on Friday - knew exactly what they had to do.

He said: "We owe Swansea one after slipping up against them in the FA Cup. It left a sour taste."

Meanwhile, Whitton will be reminding his players to keep their mouths firmly shut following the introduction of a revolutionary new "ten-yard" amendment to the laws in this competition.

The experiment allows tonight's referee to move the ball forward ten yards after a free-kick has been awarded if a player from the offending side is cautioned for dissent, fails to retreat ten yards, kicks the ball away, or displays any other form of unsporting behaviour.

The U's youth team play Walsall in the FA Youth Cup third round at Layer Road today, kick-off 7pm, while the venue for their Football League Youth Alliance match with Portsmouth on Saturday has been switched to Essex University, kick-off 11.30am.

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