Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst on Colchester United's win

Matty Etherington led the U's to a 3-2 victory over the Mariners, in his first game as the U's interim boss following Garner's dismissal as head coach on Saturday night.

Hurst is himself under pressure after his Grimsby side fell to a fourth successive defeat, in all competitions leaving them four points above the relegation zone and after talking about his own position, the former Ipswich Town boss said he had sympathy for Garner.

READ MORE: Matty Etherington's verdict on Colchester's win at Grimsby

Hurst said: "Whether people think it's strange, I'm actually quite relaxed about it all.

"I've managed a hell of a lot of games, I know what I can bring as a manager, I know the squad that's been assembled.

"But maybe it's not working and if that is someone different to come in as manager, I have to live with that.

"I look at the Colchester fans celebrating and of course, they travelled a long way and they wanted to see their team win but if they'd lost 3-2, everything would have been disastrous.

"I'm confident and the fans should be that this group of players, irrespective of it's myself or someone else, will come through.

"I believe I can turn it around - why wouldn't I? Are we getting battered every week?

READ MORE: Colchester United fans have their say on Grimsby win

"I believe I can turn it around because on the law of averages, it can't keep happening; it won't keep happening.

"I feel for Ben Garner tonight.

"They (Colchester) played better on Saturday than they did tonight.

"Now that might come out differently but I feel for him because it looks as though 'we've changed and it's Ben Garner's fault'.

"It's not Ben Garner's fault. That's the life of a manager and I've been in this long enough to face up to it."

Hurst insists he still firmly believes he is the right man for the Grimsby job but says he understands the owners' position.

"They're intelligent people and what I've said to them honestly is that I've got no issues with the decision they make," said Hurst.

"They've got to do what's right for this football club, in their opinion.

"They're the custodians of the football club; they love it, they're fans and if they feel that this isn't working, then it's their opinion.

"My job is done in the week in preparing the team for the game but once the game starts...you see what happens tonight.

"I'm not going to make excuses but I'm going to be honest about what I've seen and in the second half in particular, it was one-way traffic."