The U's have claimed ten points from a possible 12 from their last four league games under interim boss Etherington, moving away from the League Two relegation zone.

Etherington is in line to land the Colchester head coach position on a permanent basis, having impressed during his temporary spell in charge following Ben Garner's dismissal.

"Maybe the fans can see it more than anyone else but it looks like there's a sense of freedom out there.

"You can see the boys are playing with confidence and running at players and we're enjoying playing under him.

"We just want to keep winning and I think we've all enjoyed the last three weeks he's been here.

"It's been really enjoyable and we're winning games, so long may it continue.

"We're looking high; we want to be up there challenging.

"We need to build on it and we have some big games coming up and points to get."

Colchester were forced to settle for a draw against Sutton United last weekend, having come seconds away from recording a fourth straight league win.

"To come away with three wins and a draw from your last four league games is very good form and any side in League Two would take that.

"In the grand scheme of things, it's not bad but when you're 1-0 up after 90 minutes and draw, it kind of feels like a loss.

"It was a very frustrating end to a tough game.

"They made it very tough for us and a physical game.

"It took one moment to break them down and we thought it was it.

"But in the last minute...very frustrating.

"We knew that they would be direct with long balls, second balls, corners and free-kicks.

"For 94 minutes, we dealt with it very well considering we're quite a small team.

"Against a team like that, it needed a moment of brilliance almost which luckily, I brought.

"We had chances but they locked us out quite well until our goal, which came at a good time."

He added: "I want to add goals to my game and different types of goal.

"I knew there was a lot of bodies in the way and I kind of had to shift it out of the direction of very big centre-halves.

"It was just a game of patience and I picked my corner.

"Anywhere in the area where there's a lot of bodies, you need composure and pick your moment and thankfully, I chose the right one."