Jay Mingi scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure relegation-battling Colchester a vital 2-1 comeback victory over Newport.

Mingi slammed a shot into the roof of the net from Noah Chilvers’ pass in the second minute of stoppage time to earn a first win in nine matches for the U’s.

Colchester, who had drawn six of their previous eight matches, came close to scoring in the 24th minute when Alistair Smith’s brilliant effort clattered the underside of the bar.

Newport goalkeeper Nick Townsend bravely denied John Akinde minutes later as the hosts threatened again.

But it was Newport who would took a 42nd-minute lead through Offrande Zanzala, who took advantage of a mix-up between U’s goalkeeper Owen Goodman and team-mate Connor Hall following Matt Baker’s long ball forward.

Colchester pressed for an equaliser in the second half and Townsend made excellent saves to thwart both Akinde and Smith.

The hosts equalised in the 75th minute through substitute Ellis Iandolo, who scored from close range at the far post from Cameron McGeehan’s corner.

Goodman denied substitute Seb Palmer-Houlden while at the other end, Baker cleared Chilvers’ effort off the line before Mingi won it to leave Colchester a point clear of second-bottom Sutton in League Two.