Tierney pleased with maiden goal

Tierney signed a permanent contract with the U's in January

Colchester United defender Marc Tierney has said he hopes his maiden goal against Stockport on Tuesday will mark a change in his side's fortunes.

Tierney scored the only goal in the U's 1-0 win, ending their run of three games without a point.

He told BBC Essex: "It's totally lifted the dressing room because we felt we'd played well in patches against Southend and didn't get the rub of the green.

"Maybe it's our turn now to get that and start another run."

The U's went into Tuesday night's game off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to their Essex rivals Southend at the weekend, which Tierney admitted had been a huge disappointment.

We've got our eyes firmly on those spots and we know we're capable of doing it, we just have to show it on the pitch

Marc Tierney

"We were definitely down. When you're playing your local rivals you always want to get one over them," he said.

"Also, no matter who it is, when you get paid to get the points and you don't you're obviously disappointed.

"But I think we've shown a lot of character to come back but we can't rest on our laurels, we have to push on and not let this be a one-off."

The Essex side are now eight points away from a League One play-off place but Tierney said the squad had not given up hope of finishing the season in a top-six position.

"We've got our eyes firmly on those spots and we know we're capable of doing it, we just have to show it on the pitch," he added.