Brennan Dickenson is enjoying the best season of his whole career, and he wants to cap that with a successful promotion bid.

Colchester United’s left-sided specialist has plundered an impressive nine goals, since his summer move from Gillingham, and he shows no signs of slowing up.

Dickenson curled home an injury-time free-kick to chalk up goal No. 9 in the 3-2 home defeat at Crawley on Tuesday night, although that was of little consolation as the U’s suffered only their second defeat in 13 games.

The 23-year-old will be hoping that the U’s can get back on track at Accrington Stanley this afternoon, when Dickenson will either be operating as a left wing-back or an out-and-out left winger.

“I don’t think we can put Tuesday’s defeat down to injuries,” insisted Dickenson.

“The boys that have come in have more than enough ability to carry it on. We should be able to stay positive, and we will do. Morale remains high

“We don’t let injuries get us down, we push on.”

Dickenson set up the opening goal for Denny Johnstone against Crawley, in addition to finding the net himself late on.

“I got another goal, and another assist for me for Denny’s goal,” explained Dickenson.

“Denny’s goal took a slight deflection, but then so did mine the previous weekend (2-1 win over Barnet).

“But we let ourselves down with our defending, which is something we need to improve on Accrington.

“We are normally quite good defending set pieces, but one set piece let us down with their first goal (Jimmy Smith’s header for equaliser). We are usually good at dealing with set pieces.

“With their second goal, we should have reacted a bit quicker, then we would have nullified that, and the same goes for their third goal.

“At certain times, we are off the pace the other night, but we weren’t be using any excuses.

“I’ve got nine goals for now, which is a good run. I’m always happy to get a goal, but it too little too late against Crawley.”

Dickenson has scored six goals in his last 12 appearances, which coincides with the U’s fine run, which started with a 3-0 success at Cheltenham on November 22.