A wake-up call.

Colchester United manager Aidy Boothroyd admitted his side's performance at lowly Tranmere Rovers showed they still have work to do.

But he also feels the U's are close to becoming a “very, very good team”.

Colchester had to come from behind to draw 1-1 with struggling Rovers, at Prenton Park.

On-loan midfielder John-Joe O'Toole scored his first U's goal to cancel out John Welsh's opener.

The draw saw Colchester extend their unbeaten run to four matches and maintain fifth place in Coca-Cola League One.

However, ahead of tomorrow night's big home clash with high-flying Charlton Athletic, Boothroyd wants to see much more from his players.

He said: “It's a little wake-up call for us because you have to compete and fight and earn the right to get the ball down and play.

“We didn't do that in the first 20 minutes and that gave them the momentum to score before we got one back.

“But we've only just started.

“I've been here a month now and the players are getting used to me and I'm getting used to them.

“It's a matter of getting in the little details and making sure that everybody has the little microchips implanted in their heads, so that they all know what's going on in certain areas of the pitch.

“We have to adjust our mindset a little bit.

“We're just teetering on the brink of becoming a very, very good team.

“Results help confidence and belief but to be honest, I'm the sort of bloke who expects us to be doing what is required.

“If you do the work, then results then tend to come after that.

“We're not quite there yet but we'll get there.”

Boothroyd said he felt he players looked a little complacent against a Tranmere side that had just lost six matches on the bounce.

He admitted that Colchester should have won the game - but was complimentary towards John Barnes' struggling side.

“Credit to Tranmere because they did well but we're better than what we showed,” said Boothroyd.

“I felt we were a little bit too open and from a coach's point of view, we didn't hit the key areas I wanted to, in terms of performance.

“There was individual effort and competitive spirit.

“But sometimes we were a little bit like a flailing boxer, rather than one who is a little bit cute who picks his punches.

“We were a little bit disjointed but if you're learning something new then you're going to make one or two mistakes.

“I accept that but I want us to keep winning.”