COLCHESTER United hero Ryan Clampin hopes his match-winner against rivals Ipswich Town is the first of many in a U's shirt.

The 20-year-old scored a dramatic, if fortuitous, long-range goal to settle Tuesday's Leasing.com Trophy showdown.

Colchester won 1-0 and finished top of Southern Group A, ensuring a home tie in the last 32.

There was a touch of good fortune about their winner, though, with Clampin going in for a tackle - only to see the ball fly through the air, over keeper Tomas Holy and into the net from 40 yards.

Nevertheless, the former academy prospect enjoyed the moment - his first senior goal - and hopes there are more to come.

"I feel I've got a bit to offer going forward and hope to score more goals in the months and years ahead," he said.

"I love joining in (with attacks) and getting as high up the pitch as possible.

"I want to be in and around the squad and impress whenever I get an opportunity, to take my chances with both hands.

"There's a lot of competition for places and we've got a big squad.

"But I'm going to keep working hard in training, to try and keep the shirt."

With a smile on his face and tongue firmly in cheek, Clampin claimed he intended the goal against Ipswich.

"I meant it - 100 per cent," he said.

"A lot of people thought it might have been a tackle but I saw the keeper off his line and thought I might as well go for it.

"In all honesty, my first thought was to get to the ball first.

"I knew that if I didn't, they'd counter and potentially score, because I was the last man.

"The ball went up in the air but I didn't even realise it was going in.

"Then I saw the net wobble and the crowd started cheering.

"It could go down as goal of the season and I certainly won't ever forget it.

"After that, there wasn't long left, so it was about keeping our heads screwed on because the game wasn't done.

"It was hard to switch back on, into game mode, because I was buzzing at that stage and found it hard to focus."

Colchester now have a rare weekend off, following the postponement of Saturday's scheduled League Two fixture against Bradford City.

The U's have called the game off because of international call-ups for Brandon Comley, Luke Gambin and Callum Harriott.

"It's good to rest and recover," said Clampin.

"It gets you excited for the week ahead.

"We've had a big run of games and it's important to have time off, to spend a weekend with our families.

"It's healthy to almost miss football, so when you come back you're raring to go.

"It's a bit like pre-season, when you need to come back feeling hungry. You're not tired and you've got fresh legs."