Tony Humes has issued a rallying cry for Colchester United supporters to get behind his players ahead of tonight’s pivotal home clash with Swindon Town.

The U’s head into their penultimate game of the season at the Weston Homes Community Stadium two points adrift of safety in League One and can give their survival chances a big boost with a win.

Some Colchester fans have turned on boss Humes over recent games, including their last home match against Scunthorpe United.

But Humes wants any jeers to be turned into cheers for his players tonight, as the U’s go in search of a precious three points.

Humes said: “We want the atmosphere to be very positive for the players.

“We want it to be done in the right way and for them to get behind the team and give them as much opportunity as we can to get the three points.”

Colchester will be looking to secure back-to-back wins for only the second time this season tonight, following last weekend’s dramatic triumph at Fleetwood Town.

But they face a Swindon side who will finish fourth in League One this season and are preparing for the play-offs.

Humes said: “Confidence will be high amongst our players and we’ve said all along that it’s about ourselves and what we do.

“It’s in our hands and we have to go into the Swindon game with the belief that we can get something out of it.

“The players will gain masses from the Fleetwood win but now we have to start again.

“I’m not taking anything for granted – we have a really tough game against a top side and we have to make sure that we’re prepared and we give it our all again.”

For more on this story and a three-page preview of the U's game with Swindon Town, see Tuesday's Daily Gazette.