Tony Humes says he and his Colchester United players appreciate the continued backing of the club’s supporters, in the aftermath of another home defeat.

The U’s boss said their biggest home crowd of the season spurred his players on during their 2-1 home defeat against Gillingham on Boxing Day, which left them two points adrift of safety in the League One relegation zone.

Colchester have suffered four successive league defeats at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and have won just twice in front of their own fans, this season.

U’s boss Humes said: “The fans were great – they come here week in, week out to our home games and we’re not giving them an awful lot to cheer at home.

“We appreciate that they’re staying with us.

“They were very vocal and got behind the players when it would have been easy to have got at them.

“They spurred the boys on but unfortunately, we didn’t have that last little bit of luck or bit of quality to get us a point.”

Humes is plotting chances to his Colchester side, ahead of their vital clash with Crawley Town at the Broadfield Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

Sammie Szmodics is hoping he has done enough to make the U’s starting line-up, following his impressive display as a half-time substitute against Gillingham.

And the likes of Sanchez Watt and Rhys Healey are also pushing for recalls, against the Red Devils.

Humes added: “Sammie has done terrifically well and he’s given himself a chance.

“He had a great 45 minutes – he has that energy and enthusiasm and he’s very, very close to getting in that starting line-up and making other players think.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.