COLCHESTER United will be a side pushing for promotion again in League Two this season, according to Bowers and Pitsea boss Rob Small.

The U's ran out 2-0 winners over the Isthmian League Premier new boys in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer, on Friday night.

Goals from Louis Dunne and Luke Norris gave John McGreal's side victory at the Len Salmon Stadium.

Small said: “It was a good workout.

“We had nothing to lose, worked hard and acquitted ourselves well so I’m very proud.

“When you’re playing against a good League Two side that will be pushing for promotion and who have selected a very strong side, you understand you will be spending a lot of time out of possession.

“With that in mind, you have to be very organised without the ball and we have obviously worked very on hard on that over the years.

“As a football club, we have done okay tonight.

“Hopefully Colchester supporters will go away thinking what a nice little club with a good set-up.

“It would be great if they would be willing to come back in the future.”

Colchester are next in pre-season friendly action on Tuesday night when they travel to play Dulwich Hamlet.