Humes hails Healey impact

Tony Humes felt the introduction of young loan striker Rhys Healey made the difference as Colchester to a 3-0 win at Crewe.

Second-half substitute Healey, 20, marked his debut by racing onto a through ball from Gavin Massey and firing past Ben Garratt after Freddie Sears had put the Us on their way with a clinical finish. Sanchez Watt completed the misery for the Railwaymen, whose fans were left calling for the head of club owner Norman Hassall after sinking to a seventh defeat in nine league games. But Colchester have moved out of the bottom four under new boss Humes, who declared: "We were trying to take things to the opposition and we just needed something different. "We brought Rhys in from Cardiff and we've got to play the kid and give him the opportunity. We've got to trust him and the decision turned out to be a good one. "The boys have been great since I've come in and that was their best performance bearing in mind we didn't get it right in the first half. The substitution changed things for us and we have come away with a victory. "I've not come in and changed things massively." Crewe chief Steve Davis drafted in experienced Swansea loanee Alan Tate in a bid to shore up League One's leakiest defence, but they have now conceded 21 goals in nine games. At times Crewe were carried by youngster Billy Waters. The 19-year-old rounded keeper Sam Walker Waters but saw his angled effort blocked by Ben Gordon before the break. Davis said: "The first goal would have made the difference for us in terms of boosting our confidence, but that 10-minute spell showed our fragility. Three players could have dealt with the cross but it fell to Sears. "The game was won in that spell and we have got to do better. "We have to keep going and try and work harder to cut out those moments in the game when we just switch off. "We're not able to stop the goals going in and I've tried to do something about that by bringing in Alan Tate. He did fine and was a bit unfortunate with the third goal, but he needs some help around him."