Owen Garvan insists it is vital that Colchester United maintain their new-found momentum - and keep racking up the points in League Two.

Playmaker Garvan says the U’s current run reminds him of when he helped former club Crystal Palace secure promotion to the Premier League, in the 2012-13 season.

Garvan was part of the Eagles side that went on a 14-match unbeaten run under Ian Holloway, on their way to victory over Watford in the play-off final.

Palace won five games in a row during that sequence, just as Colchester have done heading into their game at bottom club Newport County this weekend.

And having enjoyed the success of winning promotion earlier in his career, experienced Garvan says it is imperative the U’s maintain their winning form for as long as possible.

Garvan said: “I had a similar period with Palace, a few years ago when we were going out and winning games.

“You never really have to think about it or say much - you just have a feeling that you’re going to go out and win and I think we’ve kind of got that.

“Hopefully, we don’t lose it. It’s a great feeling to have - I don’t think we’re necessarily playing unbelievable football but when you win 4-1, you can’t really complain.

“Now that we’re on this run, we want to get as many points and put a gap between us and the teams below us because we know that for them to catch us, then they’ll have to go on a run and it’s not easy.

“We’ve had a bad spell ourselves but now we’re on a good run.

“It’s important that we just keep on going - there’s a long way to go. Three teams get automatic promotion as well so let’s see where this run takes us.

“We want the momentum to keep going and kick on and push away from a few teams.

“We go down to Newport next - it might not be pretty and we’ll have to battle but hopefully we’ll get the right result.”

Garvan has played a big part in helping Colchester turn their fortunes around.

The 28-year-old had not played this season prior to returning to the U’s starting line-up last November, where he has helped John McGreal’s side end a ten-game winless run and go eight games unbeaten.

He added: “I’m just glad that I’ve been thrown in and that I’ve kept playing - I don’t want to be one of those players to be looked after.

“The most enjoyment that I get is playing on a Saturday, especially when the team is winning.

“I haven’t looked back and thankfully, the results have started to change.”