Colchester United manager Aidy Boothroyd has challenged his side to turn up the heat on Coca-Cola League One’s top-two teams.

The U’s head into tonight’s clash with Brentford at Griffin Park lying in third place in the table.

They sit nine points adrift of league leaders Leeds United and only three points behind Phil Parkinson’s Charlton Athletic, who are second.

Colchester have lost just one of the 15 games they have played so far under Boothroyd.

And ahead of their trip to west London, the U’s boss has urged his players to maintain their consistency.

Boothroyd said: “Leeds are starting to pull away and we have to make sure that we keep as close to their coat-tails as we can.

“I think the league is so tight that the most consistent teams, as simple as it sounds, are the teams that can win and keep clean sheets.

“Keeping clean sheets is a nice habit to have and it’s even nicer when you get a win.”

Colchester return to league action this evening following their FA Cup tie at Hereford United, last weekend.

John-Joe O’Toole’s last-gasp winner sent the U’s through to the third round, where they will play Coca-Cola Championship side Preston North End.

Boothroyd is pleased that his team have progressed in this season’s competition.

However, the former Watford manager stressed the need for them to remain focused on their league campaign.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to have been on a cup run before and get to semi-finals,” said Boothroyd.

“It can be brilliant for your season.

“But it must not take away from our priority of finishing as high as we can in the league.

“If one or two players take their eye off the ball and start thinking about the next round, I won’t play them and I’ve made that very clear.”

Boothroyd is expecting a difficult challenge at Andy Scott’s Brentford tonight.

The Bees are without a win in four league matches.

But they were victorious in the FA Cup last weekend, beating League One rivals Walsall 1-0 to progress to the third round.

Boothroyd said: “I know Andy Scott well and it will be tough.

“Brentford have just taken John Bostock from Spurs, who is a very good player.

“They did very well last year and although they had a bit of a sticky patch, they’re coming out of it.

“Andy is a very driven, astute manager and Brentford is not an easy place to go and get a result.”

Meanwhile, Boothroyd is hoping that striker Steven Gillespie can build on his FA Cup start against Hereford.

The U’s record signing started his first game in nearly nine months at Hereford, following a spate of injury problems.

Boothroyd said: “Steven had a good run – I think he has been one of the most unfortunate players.

“He has been absolutely terrific in terms of his training and his reserve games and his goal ratio.

“He’s done really well – he’s our record signing and he’s a terrific footballer.

“I’d love to throw him in the team but the form of the front players has been exceptional.

“But I felt it was the right time to start him (against Hereford).

“Hopefully it was get his season going now and we can see him on the pitch more.”