Colchester United and former West Ham United striker Freddie Sears on half century

The popular striker racked up his 50th goal in U's colours after netting their equaliser in their 2-1 win at Harrogate Town.

Sears, who then provided the assist for Noah Chilvers' winner, has reached his milestone in 156 appearances in his two spells at Colchester.

The 32-year-old says he is over the moon to reach the personal landmark.

Sears said: "I'm delighted to get it - it's brilliant to score 50 goals for the club.

"We'll have to wait and see what's next - maybe the 100!"

Sears got back on the goal trail for Colchester having gone 11 matches without finding the net.

The former West Ham United striker was glad to score again but insists his recent goal-less run did not weigh on his mind.

"The position has been a little bit different in terms of where I've been playing," said Sears, who has now scored 14 times for Colchester, this season.

"Lately I've been the guy supporting either John (Akinde) or Corie (Andrews).

"I don't mind playing anywhere - if the manager asked me to play right-back, I'd play there; if the manager asked me to play in goal, I'd play in goal.

"I'm professional and I get on with it but I feel like my best position is number nine, playing off the last man and through the middle.

"I've had one cleared off the line against Orient, I've had a few near misses - you start worrying when you're not getting chances and you're not creating too much.

"To be fair, since the gaffer has come in we've scored in a lot of games.

"We're scoring twos and threes now whereas before, it was a little bit like we'd get one goal or it would be 0-0 and stuff like that."

Sears' smart finish got Colchester back into the game at Harrogate after they had fallen behind to Jack Muldoon's early opener.

He finished coolly, after being picked out by Chilvers' pass.

Sears said: "When the keeper is coming out like that, it makes it a little bit easier when you get that touch over him.

"They're the goals I like scoring and the goals I've been working on all week.

"I'm just delighted to see one go in the back of the net again.

"It's about practice and hard work, over the years.

"We've been doing a lot on shooting, through balls and finishing this week.

"I've had a really good week.

"They've not really been going in for the last few weeks but it went in and we got the win, which is the most important thing."

Sears helped Colchester move 11 points above the League Two relegation zone with their win at Harrogate.

The U's recovered from a difficult start to claim victory and make it back-to-back wins.

Sears added: "It was obviously a bit of a sloppy start and you know what you're going to get, when you come here.

"We know we need to do better but we showed great character again and to come away with the three points with the two goals, it was a great day all round.

"I don't think there was too much in the game but I think we hurt them in dangerous areas and two quality goals."