LUKE Gambin is confident that Colchester United will rediscover their killer instinct in front of goal following their recent spate of draws.

The U’s head into tomorrow night’s top-five clash with Swindon Town on the back of a 15-match unbeaten run, in League Two.

But Colchester have drawn six of their last seven matches – scoring just three times in their last five matches following their 0-0 draw at Exeter City – and attacker Gambin feels they can get back to scoring form once again.

Gambin said: “We had a little five-minute chat (after the Exeter game).

“We’ve agreed that we need that killer instinct and we'll get that back.

“We’ve had it as we’ve shown against the likes of Carlisle and Leyton Orient and before that and we’ve been frightening on the counter.

“We knew what to expect (from Exeter) and it’s just frustrating that we didn’t have that killer instinct - that’s something we have to look at, as a team.

“We’ve drawn a lot of games which is not a negative, but we’d like to change those draws into wins.

“As long as there’s momentum and we’re playing well and working as a team; we’d rather be drawing than losing.

“It puts us up to fifth and it’s a massive game on Tuesday.

“We’ve given ourselves the chance to go and perform again in that next game and hopefully, we can get the three points.”

The closest Colchester came to scoring at Exeter was when Callum Harriott's close-range effort was cleared off the line by home defender Pierce Sweeney, in the first half.

But the hosts also had their chances, with Ryan Bowman spurning a glorious opportunity in the opening minutes and U's keeper Dean Gerken denying both Jake Taylor and Archie Collins.

“It was a tough game but we’re happy we didn’t lose," said Gambin.

“We didn’t play as much football as we usually do but it was a battle and we had to roll our sleeves up.

“We’re very good on the counter and we tried to turn them straight away and their game plan was also to turn us and get the ball wide, so it was almost end to end.

“I thought we had the better chances in the first half but to a man, everyone had to dig in, because we know Exeter are a good team.

“Once we get a goal, the game starts to open up and that’s when we’ve got the players to really hurt teams.

“On the counter, I think we’re one of the best in the league at that.

“I felt that they knew our qualities and they tried very hard to stop us from scoring, which is the name of the game.

“But I believe that once we get a goal, we can go on and really hurt teams from there because they have to come out a bit more."

Gambin returned to Colchester’s starting line-up for their goal-less draw at Exeter.

The Malta international played in a role just behind main striker Theo Robinson, at St James Park.

“The game didn’t open up for me as much as I’d have liked,” admitted Gambin.

“In League Two, the number ten role is usually as a second striker running in behind, not necessarily as a ball-playing number ten with games usually end to end and frantic.

“Sometimes, I’ve come on as a number ten and got my joy when the game opens up, because I can get the ball to feet and try and create a bit.

“It was very end to end and the ball was in the air a lot but we all had to roll our sleeves up and dig deep and I think we did that.

“We are disappointed not to win but we have a game on Tuesday and we’re ready to try and get the win.”