John McGreal admits Colchester United’s dramatic late defeat at Yeovil Town was a turning point in their season.

And as he prepares his play-off chasing side to go all out for victory against the Glovers tomorrow, the U’s head coach believes the demoralising loss at Huish Park last November can be regarded as a major high note in an eventful campaign.

Colchester’s season has come full circle since their 2-1 reverse in Somerset, where they surrendered a one-goal lead with four minutes remaining to lose.

It extended their winless run to ten matches but after that, the U’s embarked on a nine-game unbeaten run, a sequence that has ultimately contributed to them being within touching distance of a coveted play-off spot heading into the final weekend of the season.

McGreal said: “When you are low, you look at yourself and that was probably the turning point.

“So while it was a low, it was also a major high as that’s where the season changed.

“The following game was the Cheltenham game and the one against Yeovil was where there was a lot of realism that kicked in.

“It hit us in the face, but it was a moment when things kicked in that we had to change for the better.

“They will be a strong outfit because we have looked at their last few games.

“You have to do what’s right because they will want to finish on a high.

“They got a point last week against a good Stevenage side to get themselves safe and they’ll be looking to carry that form into this week.

“They won’t want to finish with a defeat.

“So it is up to us to try to get the three points.

“We just have to focus on what we are good at and hopefully that will get us through.

McGreal believes Colchester’s supporters can play their part in helping to cheer their side to a vital victory tomorrow.

More than 1,200 U’s fans made the trip to East London to see their side win 3-1 at Leyton Orient last weekend and a crowd of more than 6,000 is expected for the visit of the Glovers.

“They have been brilliant and that’s what we’ve been waiting for,” said McGreal.

“In the games against Doncaster and Plymouth of late, the extra 1,000 or so, whatever it is, it does bring more noise to the stadium.

“They get more excited and in louder voice, the drum starts banging and it’s fantastic.

“We have to put a show on for them that we have for the majority of this season.

“It’s a great occasion for everyone and the fans are looking forward to it.”

McGreal says defender Cameron James, who missed the Orient win with a hamstring strain, will be assessed prior to the Yeovil game, which kicks off at 5.30pm.

He added: “He hasn’t trained at all this week and has been working with the physio staff.

“It is just a tweak but it’s one of those with the hamstring where it can be a very touchy area and it will be a continued assessment.”