FRANK Nouble insists Colchester United will not shy away from their League Two promotion challenge.

The experienced forward netted a penalty and also provided the assist for Kwame Poku’s strike in the U’s 3-1 win over bottom club Stevenage, which drew John McGreal’s side to within a point of the play-off places.

Nouble said: “We have a great team and we have to keep showing every week that we’re better than this league.

“We’re looking for that magic ‘P’ word again – promotion and we’re not going to hide away from it.

“We just have to keep getting those wins and hopefully we’ll be up there by the end.”

Nouble's late penalty sent Colchester on their way to victory, after Tom Eastman had cancelled out Jason Cowley's deflected first-half opener for Stevenage.

The 28-year-old forward says he was always confident the U's would have the firepower to claim victory.

"It was disappointing to come in losing 1-0 at half-time but I thought we really gave it to them, in the second half," said Nouble.

"I had a great chance in the first half; I think (Luke) Norris and Theo (Robinson) had one too.

"We just have to keep banging on that door and I think if we're not creating chances it's a bigger issue.

"If we keep creating them, I'm sure we'll score them.

"I think Stevenage would have taken a draw before the game in their position at the moment.

"We knew that they'd be happy with it but at the same time, we thought that they were getting tired - even in the first half.

"We had so much dominance in that game and I think at half-time we just told each other 'look, let's just go again and see what happens, keep knocking on the door'.

"Easty (Tom Eastman) comes up with important goals for us - I'm buzzing for him to score and that set us off to get the second and third.

"For the penalty, I just wanted to make sure I got there.

"I wanted to score rather than have the penalty - it was a great ball by Theo and I stuck it home.

"The young lad (Kwame Poku) has been brilliant since he came into the team.

"I'm just buzzing that I can help his progress and get him on the scoresheet.

"He's been like a breath of fresh air for us and I'm really happy for him."

Nouble revealed he only lined up against Stevenage after passing a late fitness test, on the morning of the game.

He added: "It's just a minor issue.

"I've played with minor injuries before and I saw a few of the lads like Courtney (Senior) were out, so I thought if I was out there I could at least show my presence and hopefully help the team."