Gavin Massey is up for the challenge of masterminding a third successive relegation escape for Colchester United.

The ex-Watford winger broke the deadlock with his 14th-minute strike against Leyton Orient, in Saturday’s 2-0 home win, and is now geared up for a successful push away from the bottom four.

“I’ve been here a few years now, and been in a few relegation scraps,” explained Massey.

“This year is no different, and I’m willing to put the effort in to work hard, and get some goals. I’ve already got six goals, which is the quickest I’ve got to that total at this stage of a season.

“Obviously, Searsy (Freddie Sears) is not here anymore. His goals were important to us, but now we need goals from elsewhere. It means that everyone else has got to step-up to the plate now, which you could see from today, with me and Kaspars (Gorkss) getting the goals.

“We knew before the game how big it was. It was a little derby, and I’m buzzing inside after this win.”

Massey admitted that nerves also played a part in the U’s being forced to soak up a good deal of pressure from the O’s.

“We scored a big goal, but as the half went on you could see us dropping back a bit, even though the gaffer was telling us to get further up the pitch,” continued Massey.

“That comes down to nerves, because we know that we are in a relegation fight. When we’ve got our three points, we just wanted to hold onto them.”