MICHAEL Duff labelled Cheltenham Town's winning strike against Colchester United as the 'scrappiest goal in history'.

But the Robins boss admitted he did not care about the manner of the goal which secured his team a crucial 1-0 victory over the U's and put them on the cusp of League Two promotion.

Conor Thomas scrambled the ball home from close range in the 83rd minute to win the game for Cheltenham at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium and propel them to the top of the table.

It was a victory that has left the Robins six points clear of fourth-placed side Morecambe with three games remaining and on the verge of promotion to League One.

Duff said: "It was the scrappiest goal in history.

"But it doesn't matter - we'll take the 1-0 win.

"Josh (Griffiths) made one save in the game and that was his 21st clean sheet.

"It could have comfortably been 3-0 or 4-0, in my opinion.

"There were some good chances and good football play.

"I don't think there's anyone in my position who'd be disappointed with a 1-0. "I'd rather win five 1-0s than win one game 5-0 and lose the next four, quite obviously.

"Three points is all that matters and it's significant in that it's taken us six points clear of fourth place.

"I don't know what the goal difference is but I think it's healthy in our favour.

"But there's no coming off it now and these seasons don't come around very often, to go and win a league.

"It's there for them - whether we do it or not, we don't know.

"But that's the challenge and hopefully, we'll go and get the job done on Tuesday night. "We've all got a common goal - it's taken ten months hard work but we're literally right on the tipping point now, so it's just about us nudging it over."

Thomas's goal was his fifth of the season for Cheltenham, who are among League Two's top goalscorers, this season.

"We're top of the league with three games to go and our top goalscorer (Alfie May) has got eight goals, so it shows how other people have contributed, as well," said former Burnley player Duff.

"But that isn't to the detriment to the centre-forwards; look at the shift that the front two put in today in the first hour and then the other two game on and affected the game in a positive way, too.

"We do ask a lot from them.

"I'm pleased for him and we've chipped in from all over the park.

"Conor has had a good season.

"He does a lot of his work understated and a lot of his work, people don't see.

"He keeps the ball for us, he lands on second balls and he presses well."