A STRIKE partnership between Freddie Sears and John Akinde can give Colchester United a different dimension, according to Wayne Brown.

But the U's interim boss also feels the pair can make a similar positive impact individually for the team.

Leading scorer Sears and Akinde have started just twice together for Colchester since the former Gillingham striker arrived in the January transfer window.

Akinde has made six appearances for the U's since joining but only three of them have been starts and he is still looking for his first goal for his new club.

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However, the 32-year-old has already chipped in with two assists, while Sears is Colchester's leading goalscorer with ten goals so far in League Two, this season.

Brown said: “They’re obviously very different players and they give us a different dimension when they play, whether it’s individually or together.

“We’ll have to assess in our preparation for the games the best formation that gives us the best chance of getting a result and who then lines up in that formation, to give us the best chance."

Akinde appeared as a 76th-minute substitute for Emyr Huws in Colchester's 1-0 triumph over Port Vale.

He was on the field for Tom Dallison's headed winner, scored in the 85th minute from Noah Chilvers' corner.

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It was Colchester's first win in seven matches and interim boss Brown was delighted with his side's endeavour, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

He said: “I think we’ve had that same desire, effort and commitment for most of the games that we’ve been involved in.

“Yes naivety, lack of discipline call it what you will has cost us in some games but that wasn’t the case (against Port Vale).

“I thought everyone put a shift in.

“Not only did they work hard; they worked smart to try and nullify Port Vale and I think we got our just rewards by doing just that.

“It’s been tough, scraping the lads up off the floor on Tuesday, which felt like a defeat.

“But we’ve tried to keep the lads in high spirits."

Colchester return to action this weekend when they travel to play bottom club Scunthorpe United, in League Two.

There are two games in League Two tonight - Crawley Town host Bristol Rovers, while Exeter City entertain Swindon Town.