Swindon 1 - Colchester Utd 0

9:59am Tuesday 27th December 2005

COUGHING Rory Fallon's Boxing Day bullet triggered bags of festive cheer as Colchester United's long unbeaten run came to a spluttering halt.

Just when it seemed Iffy Onuora's men would have to settle for a second successive goalless draw, Hameur Bouazza whipped over a cross from the left and there was Fallon at the near post to power his header past U's keeper Aidan Davison.

The New Zealander's timing was spot-on, the decisive contribution arriving deep into the three minutes added on by referee Kevin Friend.

It secured three points that Town deserved and the celebrations at the end suggested a win of huge significance which is what it might yet prove out to be.

As for Fallon, he couldn't stop coughing at the end, admitting he was less than 100 per cent but it didn't show in his performance.

The home side put a nervous start behind them and as Colchester's threat faded, Town grew in confidence, battled to the death and eventually reaped the rewards.

Fallon ended the day as the hero but he was ably assisted in attack by 18-year-old Ashan Holgate, who did more than okay' on his full debut.

He oozed confidence, held the ball up well, brought others into the play and was only denied a goal by a cracking save from Davison.

Onuora produced a Boxing Day surprise by handing a first start to young striker Holgate.

Hameur Bouazza dropped to the bench as the manager opted for a 4-4-2 formation.

Aaron Brown began the match wide on the left with Ricky Shakes on the other flank.

Boasting a long unbeaten run it was hardly surprising that Phil Parkinson's side started confidently.

In the fifth minute the ball was swung over from the left and Greg Halford climbed well to loop a header just over the crossbar from 15 yards.

Moments later Chris Iwelumo broke clear down the right and it needed a timely block by Andy Nicholas at the near post to thwart the ball's path into a six yard box swarming with Colchester players.

After surviving a menacing spell of pressure from the visitors Nicholas won a corner down the left on nine minutes, Jack Smith lifted the ball into the area and visiting keeper Davison made a terrific reflex stop to keep out Holgate's header.

The visitors immediately broke and Halford rifled into the right side-netting with Sean O'Hanlon hot on his heels.

Smith then cut in from the right and rifled well wide of the right post from 20 yards as Town battled their way back into the game.

As play continued to swing from end to end great work down the right by Holgate on 20 minutes saw his low cross find Shakes whose shot was deflected wide of the right post by John White.

On 23 minutes Fallon played in Stefani Miglioranzi to his right but the New Yorker was too hesitant.

The chance was eventually lost as he was crowded out inside the area by the time he eventually pulled the trigger.

Miglioranzi teed up Holgate on 29 minutes but the youngster, although perfectly positioned, could only scuff his shot wide of the target from 20 yards.

Neale McDermott then picked out Shakes to his right and the low cross somehow evaded Fallon after Holgate's initial touch, leaving assistant boss Alan Reeves to clutch his head in his hands on the bench.

Evans was finally called into action four minutes before the interval, moving sharply to his right to keep out an effort from 22 yards from Richard Garcia.

Miglioranzi tried his luck with the outside of his right foot two minutes into the second period but the ball drifted harmlessly wide of the left upright.

Onuora made a change on 58 minutes with Michael Pook replacing McDermott in the centre of the park.

Yeates looked to have given the visitors the lead on the hour only for Evans to somehow tip his curling free-kick from the edge of the box around the right post, a magnificent stop.

Holgate was then booked on 65 minutes after battling for a ball with Brown.

On 69 minutes Brown roared forward, the ball was squared back to Pook after Fallon's initial effort was blocked but he rifled wide of the left upright as the volume was cranked up a notch inside the County Ground.

The home fans sensed that victory was there for the taking and the players responded.

Bouazza came on for Holgate with 10 minutes remaining, the youngster getting a terrific reception as he came off.

Bouazza made an immediate impact, turning superbly to send a 20-yard fizzer clattering off Davison.

Moments later Miglioranzi weakly hit a 20-yard free kick into the Colchester wall.

Colchester threatened to snatch an undeserved winner four minutes from time when Ifil switched off and substitute Kem Izzet sent his shot inches over the crossbar.

It looked like another creditable' point for Onuora's side but there was just time for some wonderful Christmas drama.

Maybe Santa's a Town fan after all?