COLCHESTER United hero Tom Eastman believes consistency has been the key to his success this season.

The centre-half played a pivotal role in the club’s “unbelievable” great escape – avoiding relegation thanks to Sunday’s 1-0 victory against Preston.

He played every minute of every league and cup game.

And now he is the strong favourite to retain his player-of-the-year silverware at tonight’s end-of-season presentation night.

“I’ve had a good year and am proud to have played every minute of every game,” said Eastman.

“I feel I’ve managed a level of consistency and like to think I played pretty well in most games.

“I’m glad to have played my part and done my bit, but it’s a team game, of course, and the best example of that was on Sunday.

“It was a heroic performance and the whole team was brilliant.

“Everyone had an unbelievable game and it was the best we played all season.”

Eastman walked away with both the players’ and supporters’ player-of-the-year silverware last season.

And he is a strong shout to be among the accolades again tomorrow night.

While it has not always been plain-sailing for the team, the 23-year-old has been a cool, reliable and solid figure in the heart of the U’s rearguard.

He has had no less than a dozen different central defensive partners: Magnus Okuonghae, Frankie Kent, Karleigh Osborne, Bongani Khumalo, Kaspars Gorkss, Alex Wynter, Will Packwood, Jamie Harney, Alex Gilbey, David Wright, Cole Kpekawa and Sean Clohessy.

But he took things in his stride and was understandably delighted by the way things panned out on Sunday.

“It was such a great feeling,” he said. “The atmosphere was brilliant and we’d love to play in front of a crowd like that every week.

“It showed what noise can be generated.

“The odds were against us before the game but everyone believed we could do it.

“We finished the season strongly and it could have been even better, had we not conceded late goals against Gillingham and Scunthorpe.

“It didn’t matter in the end, though, because we stayed up and that’s all that counts.

“But it would be nice to build and improve next season, to make sure we’re not down there again,” he added.