Colchester United have lost just one of their last nine league matches, and Frankie Kent wants that fine run to be extended beyond tonight’s home match against Danny Cowley’s Lincoln City.

The U’s are in the top half of the table, having been down in 21st spot just eight weeks ago, thanks to a haul of 18 points from a possible 27.

John McGreal’s men certainly disappointed, as an attacking force, during last Saturday’s goalless home draw against lowly Morecambe, but Kent again played his part in the U’s keeping a fifth clean-sheet from those last nine league matches.

The 21-year-old centre-back is targeting another shut-out tonight, while hoping that the team’s attacking players can break down the stubborn Imps at the other end of the pitch.

“We’ve got to keep the run going. We keep picking up points, and I feel like we will keep the run going, “ insisted Kent.

“It’s going to be tough game, against a strong Lincoln team. We want to stay strong, keep the run going, and stay positive.

“I guess we need a bit more quality on the ball on Tuesday (tonight) – that’s what the gaffer has told us.

“It’s just the little things that didn’t come off on Saturday, like Sammie (Szmodics) slipping at the vital moment (while preparing to shoot late in the game).

“It just wasn’t our day. We had the chances, and I thought that Reidy (Kyel Reid) and Drey (Wright) came on and did really well to give us a bit more going forward. We just have to get ready again to go against Lincoln.”

Academy product Kent has already rattled up 76 first-team outings for the U’s, and is a settled member of a back three which also features Tom Eastman and Ryan Inniss.

And the U’s, after a poor start to the season, have become a difficult team to beat.

Kent continued: “Saturday was another clean-sheet for us. As a back five or four, we said we must make sure we do our business.

“We had chances but then Morecambe had some throw-ins and corners as well, so we had to make sure that we were right defensively. It was frustrating, and I guess that it was not a good game to watch. It certainly wasn’t a good game to play in.

“I think we’re learning, because maybe earlier on in the season we would have switched off at the back, made a mistake and perhaps lost the game.”