SKIPPER Luke Prosser wants to help Colchester United get back to winning ways at Crawley Town tonight – and turn the fans’ jeers into cheers.

The U’s head to the Broadfield Stadium on the back of a disappointing 2-1 home defeat against Accrington Stanley, where the hosts relinquished a one-goal lead to lose.

The loss was met by boos from a small minority of Colchester supporters at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and Prosser admitted it us up to the club’s players to get them applauding again.

Prosser told the Daily Gazette: “I know the fans are frustrated and we heard that at the end (of the Accrington game), which isn’t nice.

“They’re entitled to their opinion and we lost at home which isn’t good enough – we know that but it’s up to us to get them cheering instead of booing.

“We can only do that by beating Crawley and putting three points back on the board and if they can keep getting behind the boys which I know they will at Crawley, that’s fantastic.”

Prosser says it is ideal that Colchester have another game in League Two so soon after the Accrington defeat.

“It’s good when the games come thick and fast because it gives you the chance to put it right and that’s what we’ll be looking to do,” said the former Southend United centre-back.

“Crawley away is a big game and we kind of owe them one, after they beat us a few weeks ago in the cup.

“We’re more than capable of going there and getting three points and that’s what we’ll be looking to do – it’s vital we get going again.”

Colchester’s defeat against Accrington saw them drop points from a winning position, something that has happened a number of times this season.

Prosser believes the reason behind Colchester’s inconsistency in games could be a psychological one and is one they need to master quickly.

He said: “It’s happened a few times now, that we’ve gone ahead in games and looked comfortable but made hard work for ourselves.

“I think it’s a mental thing – I’ve played enough games in League Two to know that teams never die, especially teams like Accrington Stanley.

“All over the pitch, they were fighting and scrapping for every ball, even when they were 2-1 up.

“It’s something our younger lads will have to realise because this year, teams will not give up and sometimes, they base their games on their hard work.

“It’s a learning curve but it’s still early days and we’ve done relatively well, so far although we could be six or seven points better off which is frustrating.

“The club haven’t been in this league for some time but the quicker that we get to grips with it, the better it’ll be.”

Prosser is confident of being fit for the Crawley game, despite taking a painful blow to the ribs in the first half of the Accrington defeat.

The 28-year-old completed the 90 minutes, despite feeling unwell after the incident.

He added: “I took a fairly big whack to the ribs and I think I might have done something to my diaphragm.

“It just made me feel sick for most of the game but I’ll be fine.”