Colchester United recorded their second win of the season at Millwall this evening thanks to Clive Platt's late header.

Colchester United recorded their first League win at Millwall for nearly 20 years this evening as Clive Platt's late goal dented the London side's promotion ambitions. Trevor Lee and Steve Foley were on target the last time the U's recorded at The Den though they have of course, recording victories at The New Den in the Associate Members Cup including early this season. It might have been smash'n'grab, but it sets up this weekend's big clash with Leeds United superbly.
After the 3-0 mauling at Scunthorpe on Satuday, Paul Lambert named the same starting eleven with loanee's Karl Hawley and Neal Trotman  named. On the bench, Akanni-Sunday Wasiu returned whilst there was a first outing for young midfielder Sam Corcoran as Ashley Vincent just missed out through injury.
The game was very much tactical in the early stages with neither side really able to create any opportunities of note in the opening quarter of an hour. That was the point at which Mark Cousins came to United's rescue with a flying save from Gary Alexander's header to concede the corner. When Jason Price flicked the ball on at the near post, Cousins was in the right place to make a comfortable save.
Just before the half-hour mark, Pat Baldwin was cautioned for a foul on Doncaster loanee Jason Price and from the resulting free-kick, Henry fired over the bar from just under 30 yards. Craig then flicke the ball over the bar before, with six minutes left in the half, Alexander beat the offside trap. He found Jason Price with a clever pass but Alan Maybury was able to get back to put the former Swansea striker off at the point of shooting. Alexander picked up an injury during the attack, and left the field for treatment before being replaced by Grimes with two minutes of the half remaining.
Early in the second period the teams traded yellow cards with Whitbred and Trotman falling foul of the referee. Cousins saved from David Martin after Frampton's pass back before David Perkins forced Forde in to his first save just before the hour mark.
Midway through the half Martin wasted the best opportunity for the Lions as he headed over from 6 yards after Cousin's flying punch had left him on the ground. Marc Tierney then strode forward from left back but Forde watched his long-range effort fly effortlessly over the bar. With Alan Maybury and Ashley Grimes booked after half an hour of the second half it was left to referee Taylor to complete the set with Tierney's booking just four minutes later.
United found the winner with six minutes left. After good work from Yeates and Tierney had earned a corner, the fullback took a short one to the U's Irish winger. He dummied his marker before curling a beautiful cross right on to the head of Clive Platt at the far post who made no mistake from close range.
Millwall, third in the table this evening and desperately hoping to close the gap on 2nd place Peterborough United, made a change with Lewis Grabban coming on for Henry. United countered by introducing John White for Yeates, and in injury time, Wasiu replaced Karl Hawley up front. United were comfortable in the final few minutes with just a low shot from Grabban deflecting of Pat Baldwin for a corner the closest that the home side came to denying the U's their second win at The New Den this season.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Craig, Whitbread, Frampton, Martin, Bolder, Laird, Henry (Grabban 88), Alexander (Grimes 43), Price
Subs not used: Pidgeley, Barron, Abdou
U's: Cousins, Maybury, Trotman, Baldwin, Tierney, Perkins, Hammond, Izzet, Yeates (White 89), Platt, Hawley (Wasiu 90+3)
Subs not used: Gerken, Hackney, Corcoran

Photo: Action Images

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