A LATE header from Tom Dallison secured Colchester United a crucial 1-0 victory over Port Vale this afternoon.

Dallison headed in from Noah Chilvers' corner to seal a precious victory for the U's, their first at home since November.

The victory leaves Colchester five points above the relegation zone, with 11 games to go.

It was a hard-fought win for Colchester against a Vale side who saw their nine-game unbeaten run ended.

And althought it was not always pretty on a difficult surface, that will not bother interim boss Wayne Brown and his players one bit.

Colchester made three changes to their side for their game against Vale, who were looking to extend their unbeaten run to ten matches.

Brendan Wiredu, Emyr Huws and Tyreik Wright all returned to the U’s starting line-up in place of Cole Skuse, Alan Judge and Owura Edwards, who were not in the 18.

Tom Eastman returned to the bench, while there was also a place among the substitutes for youngster Marley Marshall Miranda.

Vale made a bright start and nearly took a fourth-minute lead when former Southend United winger David Worrall hit a shot into the side netting after getting the better of Myles Kenlock in the area, following a high ball.

But Colchester had a sight of goal a few minutes later, with leading scorer Freddie Sears’ weak shot straight at goalkeeper Tomas Holy from close range, after Wright had picked him out in the area.

There was little in the way of quality in the first half, on a difficult surface.

But Vale threatened spasmodically and almost went ahead when Harry Charsley dispossessed Tom Dallison midway inside the U's half and advanced towards goal before shooting straight at home goalkeeper Shamal George.

But Colchester finished the first half brightly and came close to breaking the deadlock through Sears, who unleashed a shot that flashed past the far post after being picked out by Kenlock in the area.

The teams went in at the break goal-less at the break and a hard-fought second half ensued after that, with little to choose between the two teams.

Vale had the bulk of the possession without really troubling George and Colchester worked hard to keep the visitors at bay.

Junior Tchamadeu and John Akinde were sent on in quick succession in a bid to make the breakthrough.

But Vale looked the more likely side to break the deadlock as the clock ticked down and substitute Mal Benning's attempted cross was pushed away underneath his own crossbar by George.

However, Colchester took a precious lead when Dallison headed in Noah Chilvers' corner in the 85th minute.

George was called upon to make a fine stop to deny substitute Jamie Proctor soon after but Colchester held out for a big three points.

MATCH STATS: COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Coxe, Chambers, Dallison, Kenlock, Wiredu, Huws (sub Akinde, 75), Chilvers, Hannant, Wright (sub Tchamadeu, 73), Sears (sub Smith, 88).

Subs (not used): Eastman, Miranda, Andrews, Hornby.

U’s man of the match: Tom Dallison.

Port Vale: Holy, Smith, Martin, Hall, Worrall, Garrity, Charsley, Hussey (sub Benning, 72), Cooper (sub Proctor, 54), Wilson (sub Harratt, 64), Edmondson.

Subs (not used): Stone, Walker, Pett, Hurst.

Referee: Brett Huxtable (Devon).

Bookings: Port Vale: Worrall (unsporting behaviour, 90).

Goals: Colchester: Dallison (85).

Attendance: 2,772 (330 Vale fans).