Understandably, there has been a spring in the step of every Colchester United player, since last Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Walsall.

Leapfrogging Scunthorpe to exit the bottom four was satisfying, but to end a club record nine straight defeats was even more important.

“It’s nice to get that monkey off your back,” admitted manager Joe Dunne yesterday.

“There’s nothing like getting a win. It does wonders for confidence in the group.

“Although recent performances had been good, even a point last weekend would have been a step in the right direction.

“Hopefully, it’s a start of something good, and we can go on a good run now.”

Dunne was full of praise for U’s debutant David Wright, the former Ipswich Town stalwart who had signed just 24 hours earlier.

“It was not easy for David to come straight in, but he made a big difference in a holding role,” confirmed Dunne.

The U’s travel to fellow strugglers Portsmouth this Saturday. Pompey have not won in 16 games, losing 2-0 at home to Notts County last night.