Clive Platt's well-taken strike secured a 2-1 win for Colchester in Paul Lambert's first game in charge.
Platt pounces late for Colchester win
Clive Platt's well-taken strike just three minutes from time secured a 2-1 win for Colchester in Paul Lambert's first game in charge.
Platt pounced from close range after latching onto a neat flick from David Perkins to sink Stockport.
The visitors ought to have gone in front after just 10 seconds but Stephen Gillespie fired woefully wide after being put clean through on goal.
Matty McNeil then headed inches wide for Stockport but it was Colchester who went in front after 20 minutes when Platt swung over a cross from the right and Perkins side-footed home from eight yards.
County equalised after 42 minutes when Leon McSweeney crossed and McNeil marked his first appearance of the season with a headed goal.
However, McNeil was stretchered off to hospital just after half-time with a nasty-looking head injury before Platt went on to get the winner.