Joe Edwards insists Colchester United must have no regrets in their ongoing battle for League One survival.

Edwards was impressive in the U’s derby clash with Southend United last weekend and battled hard with ten men.

But despite a committed display at Roots Hall, three late goals resulted in a 3-0 defeat for Kevin Keen’s side and they are now eight points adrift of safety with 17 games remaining.

But Edwards, who also experienced relegation battles in the previous two seasons with former club Yeovil Town, says it is absolutely essential every play gives his all for the cause.

Edwards told the Daily Gazette: “We’ll be doing everything we can to keep fighting.

“The big thing for me when you’re down there is to make sure that you give absolutely everything you can.

“You don’t want to be coming away wishing you had done more, at the end of the season.

“Everyone – players and staff – has to do everything they possibly can to give us the best possible chance of staying up.

“There’s no point in playing these games if you don’t believe that it can be done.

“We’re all fully committed – we’ll keep believing and we’ll be doing everything we can to stay in the division.

“In putting in a performance like we did at Southend, it really shows that everyone is still fighting for the cause and that is what we have to do in every game between now and the end of the season.

“The manager said after the game that he was proud of the ten men that stayed on the pitch for their commitment to the shirt.

“It was unfortunate that they got the goal at the end, because we’d done so well.”

Edwards was singled out for special praise from Colchester manager Kevin Keen, following his fine display against Southend.

The 25-year-old has been in and out of the U’s starting line-up since Keen’s arrival as boss but says he relished being back in the side for the Essex derby.

Edwards added: “It’s the sort of game that really brings the best out of me.

“It was good to be back starting again and I tried to make a point in the way I performed.

“It was nice to hear the manager said what he did after the game.

“He’s been good to me since he came in – I’ve been disappointed not to have been playing but he told me to stay with it and I’ll get my chance.”