COLCHESTER United manager Geraint Williams is not giving up the ghost, despite his side's depressing 4-1 defeat at Plymouth last night.The U's boss took time out, at the end of the match, to talk to several of the 100 or so U's fans who had braved the long trip from Essex to the Devon coast.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United manager Geraint Williams is not giving up the ghost, despite his side's depressing 4-1 defeat at Plymouth last night.

The U's boss took time out, at the end of the match, to talk to several of the 100 or so U's fans who had braved the long trip from Essex to the Devon coast.

“I wanted to go over and personally thank them for coming all the way to support us. It's a long trip, and they have to work in the morning,” revealed Williams.

“I told them that we're not giving up, and that goes for everyone throughout the club, from the chairman through to the coaching staff and the players.

“And the fans had a message for me as well. They told me that they're not giving up, and we still believe that we can get safe.

“We had a spell at the turn of the year when we got three or four good results and got back into the pack. Now we've got to go on a similar run.

“We have to get back on the horse for Crystal Palace on Saturday, and get the win,” added Williams.

The U's were sunk by an early own goal from Phil Ifil, and second-half goals from Jermaine Easter, Steve MacLean and Gary Sawyer. Their one response was a calm finish from Kevin Lisbie.

The result leaves the U's marooned at the foot of the table, with just 11 games remaining.

Williams continued: “It was a hugely disappointing evening. We tried to be positive early on, but Plymouth penned us back. We conceded with their first effort on target.

“We knew that their two wide men were of a good quality, and the plan was to stop them from delivering crosses, or at least defend the crosses at the far post. But we did neither with the first goal, and their fourth goal was almost a carbon copy.

“We had just a chance to get back in it at 3-1, but we then shot ourselves in the foot again,” added Williams.

Izzy McLeod was stretched off in the 76th minute, and Williams said of the Charlton loanee's injury: “It's not looking good. His knee is very sore.”