COLCHESTER United made an encouraging start to life under new interim head coach Hayden Mullins.

Mullins took over as U’s boss last week until the end of the season, stepping up from his assistant manager position to take over from Wayne Brown in the role.

He led Colchester to a creditable 0-0 draw at promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers on Good Friday, in his first game in charge.

And his pal and former team-mate Clinton Morrison has backed Mullins to do well in his new position.

Morrison, who spent two seasons at Colchester between 2012 and 2014 making 71 league and cup appearances and scoring four goals, came up through the academy ranks to senior level at Crystal Palace with Mullins.

The pair spent five years together at Selhurst Park at first-team level - and Morrison believes his former team-mate and friend will help the U’s achieve their aim of staying in League Two.

Speaking on Quest’s EFL on Quest show, former U’s striker Morrison said: “I spoke to Hayden, who’s one of my best friends in football and he knows it’s going to be a tough job.

“I thought he did a good job when he was interim manager at Watford.

“I think they’ll be fine under him.

“He’s a really good, young manager and he’s got Paul Tisdale with him, so I think they’ll do well for Colchester.”

Colchester will be hoping to follow up their encouraging draw with Bolton with another positive result, tomorrow afternoon.

The U's host Barrow, who sit one point and one place above them in the League Two table, at the JobServe Community Stadium, kick-off 3pm.