I WAS pleased to see us work hard as a team and as a unit to get three deserved points against Colchester United at the weekend.

Colchester are a big and strong side who always cause problems, but we stuck to our task and kept going right until the very end to claim our reward.

Obviously the red card for Mark Hughes right on the stroke of half-time was a major decision. I said to the players during the interval that we needed to come out for the second half and play with our heads rather than our hearts, and that is exactly what we did.

We knew that we would have to defend resolutely and work hard for each other, whilst at the same time I thought that we counter-attacked quite well and took our chance when it finally came.

The lads put in a real shift to beat a team in the play-off zone and I am delighted for them, however, we were back in training on Sunday preparing for tonight's match at Southend. It's going to be another tough test for us against a team who need the points for different reasons.

Roots Hall is never an easy place to visit, but we go there with confidence, looking to build on Saturday's victory.

Everyone played their part at the weekend and both players and supporters deserved to be celebrating at the end. I would like to thank those fans who will be travelling down to Essex and express the hope that you will give us more good backing.

CHRIS HUTCHINGS