Two-goal hero Chris Porter says it was a great feeling to bag a brace and help Colchester United see off Blackpool.

But the U’s striker admitted he was disappointed not to cap an excellent individual display by bagging a hat-trick.

Porter’s fine double helped Colchester recover from a flat first-half display to secure a 3-2 victory over the Tangerines and move up to fifth in League Two.

The 32-year-old has now scored three times in as many games for the U’s but conceded he was frustrated he did not complete a hat-trick with a late effort that flashed just wide.

Porter said: “I’m pleased and I thought it was one of my better days.

“I’m pleased to score two but I was disappointed not to score the hat-trick – it was there for me and it went just wide.

“It was a great all-round performance and I was glad to get on the scoresheet.

“I’m a player who’ll give his all in every game and sometimes things go for you and other times they don’t.

“Hopefully, I’ll hit a bit of form this season and get some vital goals.

“I’m feeling fit, fresh and sharp and as long as that’s the case, there’s no reason why I can’t play for a few more years yet.

“I’ve got quite a few assists this season but it’s always nice to score goals and that’s what you’re judged on and to get two was a great feeling.”

Colchester lie just two points off top spot in League Two and Porter feels they have a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the division.

“We’ve seen a few teams now and there’s no reason why we can’t be competitive,” said the former Sheffield United forward.

“Don’t get me wrong, we’re not getting carried away and it’s still early doors but we’re going out to win every game and with the team that we’ve got there’s no reason why we can’t do well in this league.

“We’re an entertaining team; I think this season, we’ve made ourselves more solid – we’re still conceding a few but there are a lot of new players in the team who are getting used to one another.

“Last season, we may have conceded a third goal in a game like this but this season we’re a bit more resilient and we managed to hold out.

“We’re in the top five, we’re up there and that’s where we want to be – we can’t complain.”