COLCHESTER United manager Aidy Boothroyd was pleased with his side's ability to grind out victory over Huddersfield in difficult circumstances.

Stuart Watson

COLCHESTER United manager Aidy Boothroyd was pleased with his side's ability to grind out victory over Huddersfield in difficult circumstances.

Kayode Odejayi netted the winner 10 minutes from time to settle a scrappy, wind-affected match as Boothroyd made it six games undefeated as U's boss.

It was harsh on the visitors who, after looking the better of the two sides after the break, folded after the controversial sending-off of defender Peter Clarke.

But credit must go to the U's who hung in there in trying conditions to record a third successive home victory.

“I'm pleased with the result because, over the course of the season, there will be more games where you have to grind out wins rather than play like Brazil,” said Boothroyd.

“It wasn't a particularly good spectacle, but we dealt with the weather and got the win.”

The U's boss admitted that Clarke's 77th minute red card - a second booking issued for a seemingly accidental elbow when challenging for a header - was fortunate, but praised his side's character.

He said: “It was an awful game. Huddersfield came to spoil it - they played with a back five and came to counter-attack.

“I expected that to happen to us at some stage but I thought it would be two or three more weeks down the line.

“He (Clarke) led with his elbow, but I didn't think there was any malice and he was perhaps a little bit unfortunate.

“They (Huddersfield) are a good side and we knew that it would be difficult. We have taken a battering at times in both the last two games, but we have been resolute and we will need that this season.

“That's three out of three home wins now. I want us to be a winning machine, I want us to be flexible and fluid, and it's a case of so far, so good.”

Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark admitted the nature of his side's defeat was a low blow.

“We just seem to be getting a kick where it hurts when we make a little bit of a mistake at the moment,” said the former Newcastle player, whose side have now gone five games without a win.

“I think we showed we were strong defensively but we were let down by individual errors.

“The red card was certainly harsh, the first booking in particular, and that is a concern.

“I think we deserved a positive result, whether that be a draw or a win.”