Sean Murray was happy to turn the jeers into cheers after rescuing a point for Colchester United against Grimsby Town – and breaking their South Stand hoodoo.

Murray crashed home a superb strike into the top corner just after half-time to cancel out Charles Vernam’s opener for the Mariners, in the 1-1 draw at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

It was the first time a Colchester player has found the net at the South Stand end of the ground since October.

The U’s were booed off by some home supporters at half-time following an insipid first-half display, midfielder Murray was delighted to get U’s fans smiling again.

Murray said: “It was good (to score at that end) because that’s where the fans are and I haven’t got far to celebrate!

“Courtney (Senior) came on and made a difference and he was the one to set it up with a bit of good play.

“I just smashed it and luckily it went top corner, rather than out of the stand.

“I’ve always said that I need to bring more goals to my game. Hopefully now, I can push on from that goal, keep my place in the team and get more.

“We came off at half-time not happy with how we were playing. They had a few chances and Sam (Walker) made some good saves and he’s been brilliant all season for us and the defence.

“You have games like that but luckily, we didn’t argue with each other and we stuck together.

“I think we needed to have a word with each other – that’s only good for the team. We had a positive talk at half-time and really improved our game.

“We never stopped being positive which was good – we listened to what was said and we did it.

“We had to have a talk and figure out what we were doing wrong and the gaffer changed the formation, made a substitution and we came out in the second half with a different attitude and it seemed to work for us.

“We were a lot more positive and people wanted to get on the ball more.

“That showed in the second half with us getting the goal and creating a lot more chances.”

The draw leaves Colchester five points adrift of the play-off places but Murray insists they still have it all to play for, ahead of this weekend’s trip to Port Vale.

“If you look at how tight it is, you can take points from any game,” added the former Watford youngster, who has scored three times this season. We need to pick up more points and push up there.

“With us losing our previous two games, it was a point gained for us. We’ll push on from it and take what we did in the second half into the Port Vale game.”