CALLUM Harriott insists suffering the disappointment of losing their unbeaten run has made Colchester United’s players even hungrier to do well.

The U’s host fellow promotion hopefuls Plymouth Argyle tomorrow, aiming to bounce back following their 2-1 defeat at Cambridge United, last weekend.

The loss at the Abbey Stadium was Colchester’s first defeat in 17 matches, in League Two – and winger Harriott feels it has made them even more determined to succeed, ahead of their top-six clash.

Harriott said: “I definitely feel it’s made everybody a lot hungrier.

“After losing that game, I haven’t seen that kind of disappointment since I’ve been here.

“It shows how much as a team and the staff around us want to do well going forward.

“We had an unbelievable run and it’s something that gave us a lot of positive energy throughout every game we played.

“But it’s the first game we’ve lost for a while and it’s time to now push forward and get the win.

“You have to try and take it in your stride.

“It was a disappointing result for us at Cambridge, going 1-0 up but it’s football and these things happen – it’s how you react to it and move past it.

“We’ve got a massive home game against Plymouth, so we really need to push on and get three points.

“It’s quite close in this league and if we get three points on Saturday, it creates a great vibe around the dressing room and everyone will look to push on from that.

“We really need to focus and get our minds right for this one.”

Harriott returned to Colchester last August on a permanent basis, having enjoyed a productive four-month loan spell with them in the 2015-16 season.

The U’s were eventually relegated from League One that year and winger Harriott feels they are more driven, in this campaign.

“The team here now is hungrier than back then,” said the former Reading attacker.

“I feel like the club shouldn’t be in this league.

“When we have a good game, we can beat anyone but the main thing is doing it.

“It’s all very well saying we shouldn’t be here but let’s show why.

“We need to go and get the win and go on a nice winning streak.

“We have to obviously take it game by game but I can definitely say that everyone wants the same thing.

“I’m definitely enjoying it - the first day I came in here, I noticed the positivity around the club.

“The more games you play and give your all, the results will start turning.

“It’s important that we stay at it and focus on ourselves.”