DANNY Cowley is urging Colchester United and their supporters to 'stick together' as they battle to beat the drop.

The U's were dragged deeper into the mire at the weekend after losing 2-0 at Barrow, a result that leaves them two points above the League Two relegation zone with 11 games remaining.

Colchester now have back-to-back home games to get some precious points on the board starting with a match against Doncaster Rovers tomorrow night and boss Cowley insists it is time to be United.

“I have belief in the way that we work, I have a belief in our process and I believe in the players," said Cowley.

READ MORE: Gap closing on U's ahead of crucial back-to-back home games

“They’re a group that are together, they’re a group that are fighting hard.

“We need to add a little bit more goal threat and quality in the final third but we’re an organised team and a team that is not giving much up, against the ball.

“We’re having good control of games in terms of possession and in terms of territory, we’re playing the game in their half.

“We just have to keep going.

“Of course, the result is disappointing and of course for the supporters, particularly the ones that travelled, you come this far, you so desperately want your team to do well.

Gazette:

“I understand that they’re as disappointed as we are but this is not a time for fraction, it’s not a time for us to have in fighting – we have to stick together, everybody associated with the club."

Colchester are battling to preserve their Football League status, which they have held for more than three decades following promotion from the Conference under Roy McDonough, in 1992.

Cowley added: “Our lives depend on this.

“We’re proud people and any relegation lives with you forever, forever.

READ MORE: Colchester United fans have their say on Barrow defeat

“If you get a team relegated out of the Football League, that’s with you forever.

“That will be with you on your dying day, so we have 11 games and a wonderful, wonderful opportunity to make sure that that doesn’t happen.

“We have to attack those games, we have to attack with them with energy, we have to attack them with enthusiasm and we have to attack them with determination.

“We will need the people of Colchester with us but we’re going to do it – I have absolutely no doubt at all that we will achieve what we set out to, when we first arrived."