Danny Cowley ‘knew at half-time’ that Colchester would win at Shrewsbury

Colchester boss Danny Cowley was confident his side would come away with three points as they secured a 2-0 victory at Shrewsbury.

Samson Tovide found the breakthrough in the 57th minute, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner, and after Tommy McDermott was shown a red card in the 66th minute, Kyreece Lisbie completed the scoring late on.

“Excellent away win, excellent away performance,” said Cowley. “It’s never easy a three-game week, especially in the second and third week of the season.

“To have a three-game week with three away games and have a Championship side in the middle of it and the third one being in pretty much 100 degrees, it’s a credit to the group.

“I knew we would win at half-time, because I looked at the minerals and the substance that the boys have.

“I knew on these hot days, of course technical and tactical is important, but sometimes it’s about having the grit and the will, and I knew we would have that in abundance.

“I’m so pleased for Samson (Tovide) because he hasn’t had it easy at all. He is such a great kid and I’m so pleased he got his first goal of the season.

“It was a great goal for us and one I really like, having (Jack) Payne back just makes your team feel familiar again.

“It has been so hard and the boys have done so well playing without a 10 because it hasn’t always felt like we had that connection.”

Shrewsbury boss Michael Appleton said: “I think there were a lot of things that went against us. Up until the goal, I don’t think there was anything in the game.

“We were both feeling each other out, trying to make the breakthrough and they got it, and I was very disappointed in the manner that they got it.

“But that happens sometimes, you go a goal behind in games at times. Clearly, the sending-off puts us on the back foot.

“I have looked at it from a few angles and it looks harsh. He hasn’t jumped in with two feet and his legs aren’t partially elevated off the floor.

“I get that he catches the lad and I’m not trying to deny that by any stretch of the imagination, but I don’t think it’s deliberate dangerous foul play.

“There is clearly a bit of baggage there with players that were here last season that I need to deal with and manage.

“We have to man up a bit now and make sure as a unit we stay together.”