HARRY Anderson insists Colchester United’s performance and result at leaders Mansfield Town shows they have nothing to fear in their crucial remaining nine games of the season.

The U’s claimed a well-deserved draw at the One Call Stadium at the weekend to move a point clear of the League Two relegation zone.

Colchester are now preparing for a vital Easter programme which sees them host Newport County on Good Friday before visiting Tranmere Rovers on Easter Monday and on-loan winger Anderson says they will be heading into those games in confident mood.

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Anderson said: “We came away from playing the league leaders feeling frustrated that we hadn’t won.

“It just shows how far we’ve come and now the next nine games are massive and we can get some more points on the board.

“We went toe to toe with the leaders and we can’t be scared of anyone in this league.

“I feel like we’re playing really well and hopefully we can start turning those draws into wins.

“It’s quite a fine line but we’re nearly there.”

Gazette:

Anderson’s fine strike at Mansfield was his second Colchester goal since joining them on loan from League One side Stevenage, in January.

“It was nice to get on the scoresheet and do my bit for the team,” said the former Lincoln City wide man.

“I took it early and went across goal and it went in the bottom corner.

“It was a great feeling to score and to do it right in front of our fans in that corner was really good.”

Anderson played in a right-sided wing-back role for Colchester at Mansfield.

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The 27-year-old has just returned from an abductor strain and was hampered with a dead leg towards the end of the hard-fought game at the One Call Stadium but was eager to stay on the pitch and play his part.

Anderson added: “It’s a tough one (as wing-back) really, because you’ve got to be really high and attacking and then right round on the cover, when it’s down the other side.

“It’s really demanding and I started to feel a little bit tired towards the end but hopefully, I keep playing more and more games in that position and my fitness will be right back up there.

“I got a dead leg and it was a bit of a sore one but it should be alright.

Gazette: Harry Anderson

“I was genuinely injured and I could see their lads were quite frustrated – normally, I don’t tend to go down for silly little things but I actually felt that one.

“I’d been out for quite a long time (at Stevenage) and when you come back, you seem to pick up those niggly injuries and it’s just one of those things.

“Hopefully, I’m over it all now and I can look forward.

“I came here to try and get some games and help out as and when I can and I’ve obviously worked with Dan and Nick (Cowley) before.

“I knew what they were about and I fitted in quite well.”