'Teams will have to kill us to beat us' - Cowley

Danny Cowley oversaw a 13-match unbeaten from January to March that included nine wins and propelled Colchester into the play-off places.

Colchester United boss Danny Cowley says their opponents will "have to kills us to beat us" in the two remaining games of their League Two play-off challenge.

The U's take on top-seven rivals Salford City on Saturday in a match that could make or break both side's hopes of promotion.

One point and one place separate the two sides, with the U's just a single point behind Grimsby Town in the last play-off spot.

"We haven't come this far, just to come this far," Cowley told BBC Radio Essex.

"I can promise you - and anyone with Colchester United in their hearts - we're going to go there on Saturday and give it a right go."

Colchester's 3-0 defeat by leaders Doncaster Rovers in their last match was their first loss in five games and followed a goalless draw at home to Crewe Alexandra.

It leaves them in scrapping to save their promotion hopes after dropping out of the play-off places after a heavy loss at Bradford City seven games ago.

"We've all sacrificed a lot to get this club to this point - it's taken an huge effort from everybody, players, staff and supporters," Cowley added.

"We will dust ourselves down we'll be really focussed and determined to respond in a really positive way."

In addition to the loss of injured top-scorer Lyle Taylor, who will miss the rest of the season, Colchester will also be without suspended winger Owura Edwards, after his sending off against Rovers, and midfielder Jamie McDonnell who came off with an ankle injury in the same game.

Despite the setbacks, Cowley said his side will not let their focus drop as they prepare to keep their promotion push on track, with Barrow to follow on the last day of the regular season on 3 May.

"We've said all season, you'll have to kill us to beat us," the 46-year-old added. "We'll got to Salford and we might have some injuries and problems but we're going to give it one hell of a go.

"This isn't a time to feel sorry for ourselves. It's a time for us to dig deep."