Luke Garbutt is staying positive, and who can blame him?

Even though Colchester United have mustered only one victory from their last 17 league and cup games, Garbutt was staying upbeat after Saturday’s gutsy 1-1 draw at Preston.

It was the Everton loanee’s 77th minute cracker that earned the U’s an unlikely point, from their trip to Deepdale.

“I think there is a lot of work to be done, to turn those draws into wins, but we’d take this result at Deepdale,” insisted Garbutt.

“We just have to get up for every game, and always be positive.

“Perhaps the win will come from someone scoring off their backside, to clinch a 1-0 victory. So be it, we would take that.

“Our team spirit is taking us a long way.

“The lads are saying that last season we would have got beaten in this game (at Preston), so we will take the positives from that,” added Garbutt.

Left-sided specialist Garbutt has now scored two goals in his last two outings, following on from a superb strike in the FA Cup defeat to Sheffield United.

The U’s entertain mid-table Mk Dons in another League One game tomorrow evening.