COLCHESTER United head coach John McGreal believes his in-form side are becoming more of a “scalp” for visiting teams after their fine home results continued against Swindon Town - and has warned the hard work starts now.

The U’s moved into the top three in League Two thanks to a 1-0 win over Swindon Town at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Sammie Szmodics netted in first-half stoppage-time to earn victory for Colchester, who boast the best home record in the division with seven wins out of nine and 21 goals to their name.

McGreal said: “I think we’re becoming a little bit more of a scalp for the opposition now.

“You can see little things – (Swindon manager) Phil (Brown) is highly experienced and he knows the form that we’ve been in at home.

“They came with a different plan but we dominated the ball and they set little traps but we were able to get through it.

“The boys are getting this reputation and not every game is going to be what we did previously.

“We’re going to have to show different types of character and the hard work actually starts now.”

McGreal was happy with the mentality of his players against Swindon, which followed hot on the heels of their win over league leaders Lincoln City.

It was the U's third win in four games and McGreal said: “The biggest thing for me was the psyche of the boys and their approach, after last week.

“Sometimes the lads can take their eye off the ball but the lads to a man were able to grind out their results."

Colchester were the better side for much of the game but had to withstand a strong final 20-minute period from Swindon, for whom substitute Keshi Anderson missed a glorious chance late in the game.

McGreal said: “We played some terrific football at times.

“The goal we scored was no more than we deserved in that first half.

“Sam (Szmodics) is in a rich vein of form at the minute and we have to keep him fit.

“We were getting their keeper to make saves and I thought some of the build-up play was excellent."

Colchester's under-23s are in action tonight, in Professional Development League Two.

They host Watford at the JobServe Community Stadium, kick-off 7pm.

Ethan Ross, Aaron Barnes and Diaz Wright are all set to feature for Kevin Horlock's side, while Louis Dunne will continue his comeback from a long-term injury against the Hornets.