Ryan Inniss is adamant Colchester United can launch a promotion challenge in League Two this season – providing they replicate their performance against Mansfield Town on a consistent basis.

John McGreal’s side beat the much-fancied Stags 2-0 last weekend, to record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

With a quarter of the campaign gone, the U’s lie six points off the play-off places and central defender Inniss says they are feeling bullish about their chances of rising up the table.

Inniss told the Daily Gazette: “Confidence is flowing after our win against Mansfield.

“They’re tipped to go up this season but we beat them comfortably and if we can keep playing like that and keep the momentum, I think that we can have a real crack at it this season.

“Mansfield had beaten the league leaders Notts County pretty convincingly the previous week but we played some lovely stuff and got the result.

“I think it was one of the best performances we’ve had since I’ve been at the club.

“With the way we played against Mansfield on top of the win at Yeovil, it all feels like it’s coming together if you ask me.

“We’ve got back-to-back wins and we thought it was coming.

“I know some of the fans might have thought that it’s one thing saying it and another thing doing it but within the camp, we’ve stayed positive.

“If we go again on Saturday against Carlisle and start how we did against Mansfield, we’ll have a really good chance and then all of a sudden, we’re looking upwards.

“Confidence is high and there’s even a really good buzz in training – we’re having a great laugh and a great craic but the hard work is coming with that.

“It’s great – hopefully it’ll be another week like that and a confident performance against Carlisle.

“It’s a young team and I think if we’ve got that confidence going, we can do some really good stuff.”

Inniss, 22, has played his part in helping Colchester record back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since last December.

The Crystal Palace loanee says he is enjoying playing at the back for the U’s.

“We’ve got two clean sheets in a row now and we’re building a rapport at the back,” added Inniss, who is on loan at Colchester until the end of the season.

“We’re trying to do the things and be composed on the ball and I think Colchester as a club are like that.

“I’m trying to pick that up as quickly as possible but when we play like that, we’re a better team.”