HAYDEN Mullins has taken over as Colchester United's head coach until the end of the season as they bid to avoid League Two relegation.

The U's have made the decision to put assistant manager Mullins in temporary charge at the JobServe Community Stadium, with Wayne Brown stepping aside.

Brown had nine games in interim charge of Colchester after taking over when Steve Ball was dismissed, on February 23.

But the U's claimed only one win in that time, drawing three and losing five.

Colchester are currently 21st in the standings, four points above the second from bottom Blues who still have the U's to play this season.