JOHN McGreal has revealed one specific tactic they had worked on proved particularly profitable in their 3-1 victory over Swindon Town.

The U’s recovered from falling behind to Diallang Jaiyesimi’s opener early in the second half for the visitors to claim all three points against the league leaders, thanks to Theo Robinson’s brace and Luke Norris’s header.

Colchester’s opening two goals against Swindon both came from set pieces and boss McGreal has revealed that was one of the areas they focused on, in their preparations for the League Two clash.

McGreal said: “We worked on a few set-pieces (on Monday).

“We felt with the size of their team, the size of our team and with Cohen (Bramall) coming back into the equation with his delivery, I just felt it was an opportunity.

“We couldn’t really get one or two under way in the early part of the game as they adapted their defensive set play but I thought they came through in the second half.”

Bramall returned to Colchester’s starting line-up against Swindon for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in their 2-2 draw with Exeter City, on December 29.

The U’s left-back provided the set-piece deliveries that led to both of the U’s opening two goals, after the former Arsenal defender completed 90 minutes on his return.

“You’re looking for delivery and Cohen has got top-class delivery,” said McGreal.

“He’s been chomping at the bit – he was saying he was ready last week (for Exeter) but we’ve had to rein him in.

“This was the ideal opportunity for him.

“He was truly tested; we thought we might get 70 minutes from him but being a goal down, we had to get all of our forwards on.

“In that last half an hour, we scored three but we could have scored maybe another one or two on top of that.”

Colchester remain fifth in League Two after their win over Swindon but are now just three points off the automatic promotion places, ahead of their trip to play Cambridge United, this weekend.

McGreal added: “We’ve worked ever so hard to get ourselves into this healthy position, which is all it is.

“You could sense with the crowd and the way that they got behind us in the second half, it was brilliant.

“The way the noise levels went through the roof and the South Stand banging the drum, it was a great occasion.”