Colchester 1 Sheffield United 2: David Edgar proves Blades' unwavering resilience

The full-back stabbed home Martyn Woolford’s 91st-minute corner to earn Nigel Adkins’s side three points and move them within one point of the top six.

The Blades had shown similar resilience at Wigan four days earlier when they came from three goals down to snatch a point.

Adkins said: “A lot of energy was expended at Wigan where we finished the game very strongly and we’ve gone and scored a winning goal late here again.

“Let’s take the positives after what has been three games 
away from home in a week and thanks to the supporters for travelling and backing the players again.

“Someone said we are third or fourth highest goalscorers in the division. We have conceded too many; we know we are going to score but we have got a team that has spirit and fight and determination and character.”

Colchester appeared to have secured a point when Tom Eastman cancelled out Billy Sharp’s opener midway through the first-half.

The hosts, insipid in the first half, were a much more dangerous proposition after the break with Chris Porter, the former United frontman, close to turning home from close-range after George Long had made an excellent save to deny Alex Gilbey.

Then Edgar popped up with the dramatic winner.

Colchester: Kean, Brindley (Bonne 90), Wynter, Eastman, Briggs, Massey (Ambrose 85), Gilbey, Garvan, Moncur, Sordell, Porter. Unused substitutes: Edwards, Wright, Kent, Vincent-Young, Parish.

Sheffield United: Long, Brayford, Collins, Edgar, McEveley, Woolford, Basham, Hammond, Coutts (Flynn 71), Done (Baxter 64), Sharp (Sammon 90). Unused substitutes: Howard, Campbell-Ryce, Reed, Adams.

Referee: B Malone (Wiltshire).