LONG-SERVING defender Tom Eastman has set his sights on Colchester United enjoying another memorable final day of the season – by helping them clinch a coveted League Two play-off place.

Eastman is no stranger to drama at the conclusion of a campaign, having helped the U’s beat both Carlisle United and Preston North End to preserve their League One status back in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

The reliable centre-back is now focusing on achieving success at the other end of the table, by helping Colchester beat newly-crowned champions Lincoln City to secure a play-off spot, this weekend.

Eastman told the Daily Gazette: “I’ve been involved in a few dramatic final days of the season.

“I scored in that game at Carlisle and played in the Preston game, too.

“They were two massive games and they were obviously at the other end of the table, staying up.

“We have to go and get the three points at Lincoln – that’s all we can do and hopefully it’ll work well for us.

“We have to go to Lincoln and win and then hopefully, it will somehow work out.

“It’s a big game – they’re champions and have gone up already but hopefully we can go there and get the win.

“All of the boys turned up and if we can do the same again, that’s ideal.

“We were a little bit unfortunate with the other results, with the other teams around us winning as well but we’re looking to go there and get the win.”

Colchester ensured that their season will go down to the wire thanks to an impressive 2-0 win over MK Dons, last weekend.

“We had a disappointing run a little while back which obviously wasn’t good enough,” said Eastman, who is in his eighth season with the U’s.

“But we’ve done well to bounce back and give ourselves a chance, in our last game.

“We had to beat MK Dons and that’s what we did.

“It’s a confident squad after recent results – we’re scoring the goals and keeping them out.

“That’s what we need to do and if we can do that in our last game, hopefully we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

Eastman has started Colchester’s last three matches, following skipper Luke Prosser’s ankle injury at Bury.

He added: “I haven’t played as much as I’d have liked this season.

“But with the likes of Pross (Luke Prosser) and Frank (Kent) here, I know I have to work hard to get into the team and try and stay there.”