COLCHESTER United captain Luke Prosser says building momentum is "absolutely key" during the League Two run-in.

The U's will hope to creep back into the top seven when they visit Carlisle United tomorrow, having dipped to eighth after last week's 2-0 defeat against Cheltenham Town.

John McGreal's men have lost three of their last four matches.

However, Prosser says those setbacks count for nothing - as long as he and his team-mates finish strongly.

He knows from experience how important it is for a club to time their charge to perfection.

"We need to get back on the winning bandwagon and there are still a lot of points to play for," said the 31-year-old.

"It's about building momentum.

"I remember one year when I was at Southend (2011-12), we were in the automatic places and then dropped out and finished fourth.

"Crewe, who were at the bottom of the table at the start of the year, went on an amazing run, finished seventh and then beat us in the play-off final at Wembley.

"They were the ones with momentum and it's a massive thing at this time of year.

"We've missed out on the play-offs twice since I've been here, falling just short because we weren't quite good enough.

"But when you look at the ability in our dressing room, we're more than capable of doing it this year.

"We need to be more consistent but we've got players with lots of experience - people like myself, Harry Pell, Frank Nouble, Dean Gerken and Tom Eastman.

"These are boys with a lot of games under their belt and we thrive on pressure.

"It's nothing we can't handle and when you look at the games we've won this season, we've shown we can handle big matches.

"There won't be any excuses on that front in the final weeks of the season."

Prosser says he and his team-mates need to move on from last week's costly defeat against Cheltenham.

"We were all disappointed," said the centre-half.

"We weren't quite at it, for whatever reason, but we move on and there are ten games left - starting with a big one at Carlisle.

"We can't dwell on last week.

"It's done now and we have to move on.

"It's a tight-knit group and we have discussions with the management group and within ourselves, in the dressing room.

"We're all aware of what we want this season and what we need to do to achieve it."

Tomorrow is McGreal's 200th game as U's boss, having been officially appointed as Kevin Keen's replacement in April 2016.

His first game in the hotseat was that August.

"The gaffer brought me to the club and he's someone I've got utmost respect for," added Prosser.

"He's a very good manager and I love playing under him.

"It's a credit to him that he's reached this milestone, because not many people stay in one job so long nowadays.

"He's done very well and long may it continue."