COLCHESTER United’s interim head coach Hayden Mullins was full of smiles after the U’s all but secured their League Two status with a 2-0 win against Blues.

First half goals from Michael Folivi and Harry Pell saw Colchester pick up a crucial three points.

And Mullins was delighted with the victory which saw his side with nine points clear of the drop zone with just three games to go.

“It’s a fantastic feeling and a momentum that we want to keep going,” said Mullins.

“It’s a really good atmosphere at the moment, from where we have been.

“There have been times when you leave this stadium this season really flat and down and it’s horrible and we’ve had some bad results and we’ve been on a really bad run.

“It’s great to go in there and see them all with a smile on their face – it’s a brilliant atmosphere and it’s one where now we’re coming off the back of two wins and a clean sheet in this one.

“It’s such a big thing, to lose your league status.

“It’s something we tried to keep away from the boys but also make them aware.

“It would have been so much better had the fans been here but to beat our local rivals and almost be safe is a pretty good feeling.”

Blues’ misery was compounded in the second half when midfielder Jason Demetriou was sent off.

And Mullins, who agreed with the red card, also revealed another Southend player could be facing punishment.

“It was a bad challenge,” said Mullins.

"I heard it and I heard the shin pad snap.

"If it's in a different place and his leg his planted, it could have been a worse situation.

"There's no need for it and there's no place for it.

"There was an elbow in there on Harry as well which I think they've looked at and they're going to look at again, off the ball."