COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal hailed match-winner Ryan Clampin after his side’s dramatic Leasing.com Trophy victory against Ipswich Town.

The full-back went in for a tackle just beyond the halfway line and made such clean contact with the ball that it spun into the air and dipped over Blues keeper Tomas Holy.

His amazing strike – albeit fortuitous – came from 40 yards.

And even though it was unintended, McGreal felt it was a great way to settle an entertaining East Anglian derby.

“I thought Ryan played particularly well,” said McGreal.

“He went in for the tackle, hit it and it’s sailed over their keeper.

“The keeper’s a man-mountain, so to beat him from there just shows the connection he had when he went in for the tackle.

“As he ran towards the bench, he looked really light-headed.

“I think it suddenly dawned on him he’d scored in a derby.”

In the process, Clampin’s goal also catapulted the U’s to the top of Southern Group A – meaning they are assured of a home tie in the last 32.

Ipswich finished second, also going through, with Gillingham third and Tottenham Hotspur’s under-21s fourth.

The draw for the second round, which is still regional, takes place at 2pm on Saturday.

“It was brilliant and nice for our fans to go home with a win in the derby,” added McGreal.

“Ipswich had seven major players in their team.

“I know they rested a couple but those boys were in the Championship last year and now they’re top of League One.

“We know how difficult that division is from playing Coventry (in the FA Cup) on Saturday.

“That’s why it was such an excellent win for us.

“We were more disciplined defensively but it needed something brilliant or cheeky or lucky to win the game.

“As it was, it was a lucky strike that got us through but sometimes you need that in football.”

Colchester take a break from their schedule now, with no match on Saturday.

They had been due to entertain Bradford City at the JobServe Community Stadium.

However, the U's have called the match off due to international call-ups.