George Elokobi says Colchester United must take their disappointing defeat at Notts County on the chin – but insists their play-off hopes have not been dealt a knockout blow.

The U’s now find themselves five points adrift of the top seven in League Two with six games remaining, after they slumped to a 3-1 loss at Meadow Lane.

Elokobi admits the better team won on the day but the popular defender is adamant that Colchester can still make the play-offs and is already focused on securing a vital win over fellow promotion hopefuls Stevenage, this weekend.

He told the Daily Gazette: “We were beaten by the better team and we have to take that on the chin.

“Credit to them because they started on the front foot and we ended up on the losing team.

“We have to put it behind us and learn from it as a team, as there’s nothing we can do about it now and look forward to the next game with a positive attitude.

“I definitely still think we can make it to the play-offs and as long as it’s mathematically possible, we’ll carry on pushing ourselves on the training ground and make sure we keep picking up points wherever we can.

“You have to stay positive.

“Every single game at this stage of the season is massive for us and we will push to win every game.”

Colchester boast the second best home record in League Two, in stark contrast to their away form which has seen them win only four times on their travels all season.

Elokobi admits their results on the road have to change – both this season and next.

“We’re doing well at home and you have to make sure you do well away from home, too,” added the 31-year-old.

“It’s changed this season, with the home form being fantastic and the away form not being so great, especially in 2017.

“That’s something we’ve got to look at going into the next away game and also going into next season, as well because if you want to be there or thereabouts in the automatic promotion places or play-off places your away form has got to replicate your home form, too.

“We’ve got two away games left and the away form is something we will look to do because we know that at home, if we play well we can hold our own against any opposition.”