COLCHESTER United’s magnificent run in this season’s Carabao Cup is a great achievement, according to winger Luke Gambin.

And the Malta international insists they are determined to keep their run in this season’s competition going for as long as possible, ahead of tomorrow's draw.

Colchester came from behind to beat Crawley Town 3-1 at the Broadfield Stadium to book their place in the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time since 1974.

It is only the second time in the U’s history that they have reached the last eight of the tournament.

But after sealing their win at his former club Crawley by coming off the bench and scoring their third goal, Gambin says they want it to continue.

Gambin said: “It’s a great feeling.

“It’s a brilliant atmosphere among the lads and we’re buzzing.

“I don’t think we could have done any more to have gone a goal down and then come back and win the game.

“Let’s keep this run going – this team has got great quality and we all believe in ourselves.

“We’re a tight group and we all fight for each other on the pitch, which is good.

“It’s a great achievement to get as far as we have, in the competition.

“We just went out on the pitch and did our job.”

Colchester fell behind after 20 minutes to Dannie Bulman’s wonder strike.

But Luke Norris equalised less than two minutes later, before an own goal from Reds goalkeeper Michael Luyambula gave the U’s the lead early in the second half.

Gambiin then came off the bench to score Colchester’s third and effectively wrap up their win, with 11 minutes remaining.

“The lads went 1-0 down but it was brilliant to come back straight away and equalise minutes after,” said Gambin, who was on loan at Crawley from Luton Town last season.

“Crawley showed great character. They started very well and like us, they’ve overcome good opposition to get there.

“They scored a great goal through Dannie Bulman but it’s a game of football and someone’s got to win it.

“I was watching from the bench and it was brilliant the way we came back.

“Noubs (Frank Nouble) got down the side and played a great ball to Norris who tucked it home.

“That’s what we need – bounce back – which we’ve shown before this season and I knew that once we got that goal, we could push on.

“Some of the lads on the bench were saying that Cohen (Bramall) was going to score from the free-kick and it was a great finish – we’re buzzing for him.

“We had threats going forward and I took my chance.

“It was a great ball from Callum (Harriott) and I enjoyed it.

“He jinked back onto his left foot I think and put the ball in and I finished it.

“We took our chances and I’m happy we’re through to the next round.”