In-form Sammie Szmodics says Colchester United’s confidence is sky high following their morale-boosting win over Crawley Town.

The U’s attacker says they cannot wait to take on Chesterfield tomorrow night, after recording another victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Colchester moved to within three points of the League Two play-off places, following their 3-1 home triumph over the Reds.

Szmodics bagged his third goal in four matches for the U’s against Crawley, with Ryan Jackson and Mikael Mandron also on target in the victory.

The Colchester-born attacker says they are now relishing the prospect of hosting second-from-bottom side Chesterfield, who were thumped 5-1 at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

He said: “Crawley was a great game and it’s given us that boost for Tuesday night against Chesterfield, where we’ll be looking to get three more points.

“The confidence in the changing room is high.

“Chesterfield lost (on Saturday) so they’ll be feeling down coming here but we’re at the other end of the spectrum.

“Our confidence is high and we can’t wait for the game.

“We just want to be out there and you have to try and keep your shirt.

“It’s not just about those who played though; it’s also about the players who came on and weren’t used off the bench.

“We’re all in together and we’ll go again for another win on Tuesday.”

Szmodics is already only one behind his goal tally of five for last season, with the new campaign just seven games old.

He said: “I just want to keep bringing goals into my game, as well as assists.

“After last season with my injuries, it was good to get through another 90 minutes, and it was nice to get a goal and an assist.

“The ball has just dropped to me on my weaker foot on the edge of the box and you’ve just got to hit and hope – thankfully, it went in the top corner, off the post and in.”

Colchester led 3-0 at half-time against Crawley, who improved in the second half and grabbed a consolation goal courtesy of Jimmy Smith, along with Mark Randall having his penalty saved by keeper Sam Walker.

Szmodics, who played just behind front two Mikael Mandron, and debutant Nicke Kabamba, said: “We had to come out of the blocks quickly and we’ve won the game in the first half.

“We gave them a few chances to get back into it in the second half.

“I’m not sure what the ref saw with the penalty but Walker made a great save.

“Crawley changed to 3-5-2 and the second half was theirs but we had chances, too.”