Aidy Boothroyd believes his Colchester United team are living in the shadow of their red-hot form earlier in the season.

The U’s head into their clash at Exeter City this afternoon in need of a win, to boost their Coca-Cola League One promotion hopes.

Colchester embarked on a nine-match unbeaten run following Boothroyd’s appointment, last September.

But of late they have found wins harder to come by and have now gone six matches without a victory.

It is the club’s worst run of league form since they went ten games without a win under Geraint Williams, in the latter stages of the ill-fated 2007-08 campaign.

However, a win at St James’ Park will enhance the U’s slim chances of automatic promotion.

Three points would close the gap on second-placed Leeds United and give them a huge boost ahead of the visit of Millwall, on Monday.

Colchester manager Boothroyd believes now is the time for them to perform.

Boothroyd said: “We live in the shadow of what we have done before."

For the full story see today's Gazette.