RYAN Clampin said scoring his first league goal for Colchester United meant a lot to him.

The 22-year-old bagged the U’s all-important winner in their crucial 2-1 triumph over Walsall, a victory which helped give their League Two survival hopes a big boost.

Clampin struck home a sweet shot from the edge of the area in first-half stoppage-time to help Colchester go six points above the relegation zone, with four games remaining.

It helped seal the U’s first win in 11 matches and left-back Clampin was delighted to secure a vital win, ahead of the big Essex derby clash with Southend United tomorrow night.

Clampin said: “It was a good goal and it meant a lot.

“We’ve been so unlucky, of late and to finally break that barrier and push on was a good feeling.

“As long as we’re playing well and we believe in what we’re doing, if they go a goal up we can’t let it affect us.

“If we let it affect us, then we’re done from the start.

“We kept doing what we were doing and we knew that we were going to get a goal.

“We were on top, we dug in and we got the result.

“It’s happened a few times now where we’ve been playing well but we’ve not got what we deserved but finally we did.

“We know that we’re not in a good spot, this year.

“We’re doing everything that we can, week in, week out and it came together.

“It was a great squad mentality.”

Colchester were forced to come from behind to beat Walsall, last Saturday.

James Clarke had given the Saddlers a 20th-minute lead but Michael Folivi equalised for the U’s, before Clampin struck what proved to be the all-important winner just before half-time.

“Once we get our first goal, we know that we’re going to be on top,” added Clampin, who has now surpassed his U’s appearance total for last season.

“We had to keep pressing and it’s best to do it before half-time, to get that momentum.

“We’ve had it in the past where we’ve come out for the second half and the momentum goes.

“So for us, it’s key to squash them early doors and get the three points there.”

Colchester host Southend tomorrow night at the JobServe Community Stadium, kick-off 7pm.