Delighted Joe Dunne hailed his Colchester United players after they won 2-0 at Carlisle United to secure their League One status.

The U's victory at Brunton Park sealed their place in the division, despite fourth-bottom Scunthorpe United's 3-1 win over Swindon Town.

Dunne said: “I thought that we were magnificent.

“We had a game plan which worked absolutely spot on.

“I’m so pleased for all of the players and staff who have all worked extremely hard and also the supporters.”

After a goal-less first half, headed goals from Gavin Massey and Tom Eastman after half-time gave the U's a vital three points and kept them in the division.

Dunne said: “We frustrated Carlisle a bit and we said at half-time that we could go for it and win the game.


“We’ve come away from home under immense pressure.
 

“We knew that we had to stay in the game and the first goal was as a result of a very good move that led to the finish.
 

“I felt that we controlled the first half and the game developed into exactly how we wanted it to.
 

“We went for it and got the result we wanted and that’s two clean sheets in a row now for us."

U's boss Dunne tweaked his tactics for the match, recalling Marcus Bean for his first start in nearly four months and playing Billy Clifford in a more advanced position, just behind one striker.

His game plan worked effectively, helping Colchester seal a deserved win.

Dunne added: “I knew I wanted to play with a boxed defence and two midfield players who would hold and break things up a bit.
 

“I wanted to play Billy Clifford in an advanced position.
 

“You write things down and you think and think and think.


“But my wife just tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘if this is your team, then stick with it'.
 

“When you go with your instincts, you’re generally right.
 

“I knew that they would have to work really hard to score."

For a full match report, pictures and more reaction to Colchester's win over Carlisle United, see Monday's Gazette.