COLCHESTER United can play the role of party poopers tonight against a Stockport County side that can clinch promotion with a win.

But U's head coach Danny Cowley's sole focus will be very much on helping his own team secure a precious victory against the league leaders - along with playing for the full 90-plus minutes.

A Stockport win, along with defeat for Mansfield Town at home to Forest Green Rovers, would be enough to see Dave Challinor's side secure promotion back to League One, with four games to spare.

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But Colchester have very different motives at the JobServe Community Stadium tonight, knowing a win will see them climb out of the relegation zone.

Cowley said: “Pretty much every team has got something to play for, because it’s such a competitive league.

“They’re either fighting for promotion or the play-offs or they’re fighting to stay in the division.

“I don’t think there are many teams who have nothing to play for."

Gazette:

Cowley is demanding a performance for the entire game from his Colchester side against Stockport, after seeing them surrender a one-goal lead against promotion-chasing Wrexham at the weekend to lose 2-1.

The U's lie a point adrift of safety, with six games remaining.

"This football club will be great again but we have to absolutely demand standards and that means playing for 90 minutes; not playing for 60 minutes," said Cowley.

"I'll be honest, it means nothing to me. Valiant losers? That doesn't wake me up in the morning.

"I'm a winner - I like to win, I'm used to winning, I expect to win and I expect my teams to win and we need to step up and feel the pain (of the Wrexham game).

READ MORE: How Colchester's run-in compares to that of their rivals

"They let one another down and I don't like that - that is what fuels us, going into Tuesday.

"We need to be robust both physically and mentally.

"We have lots of games in a real short space of time.

"I'm their best friend, because I tell them.

"When they do well, I'm the first to pat them on the back and tell them 'well done'.

"But also, I'll be the first to look them in the eye and tell them if they come up short and don't do their job."

Gazette:

Cowley must decide tonight whether or not to stick with the same front pairing of John Akinde and Tom Hopper, against Stockport.

The experienced duo were effective as a front partnership for the opening hour against Wrexham at the weekend, with Akinde scoring his first U's league goal for nearly a year before being replaced.

"John was a handful all game," added Cowley.

"He was incredible (against Wrexham), the John Akinde of old.

"He was such a presence and I thought he scared the life out of their defensive line and goalkeeper.

"Of course, he's 35 now so he can only play, safely, for so long."