Brown's Hull have won four of their last five games in the league

Hull City manager Phil Brown said his side's 3-1 win over Colchester on Tuesday was a "massive" result for their hopes of promotion.

The Tigers are now just five points behind the Championship's top two having played the same number of games.

Brown told BBC Radio Humberside it was vital his side won their game in hand: "I think it's of massive importance.

"The whole Championship was looking at this game and we have disappointed everybody outside of Hull."

Interview: Hull manager Phil Brown

Brown said his side are growing in confidence and belief and starting to reach peak form at the most important part of the season.

I think it gives everybody renewed belief that we can do something this season, we are in fifth on merit Phil Brown

"The strikers are just coming into form at the right time, [to win] the game in hand was important," he said.

"The Championship were looking for us to get turned over.

"I think it gives everybody renewed belief that we can do something this season, we are in fifth on merit.

"We needed to win our game in hand and we did comprehensively."