Colchester United manager Tony Humes admits it is vital his players respond in the right way to their unbeaten run being ended.

The U’s suffered their first defeat in seven matches last weekend, after losing 1-0 to Bury.

The loss also ended Colchester’s four-match winning streak and was their first defeat at the Weston Homes Community Stadium since March.

Humes is now preparing his side for two successive away matches, starting with a trip to play Shrewsbury Town this weekend.

The U’s boss says it is important that they bounce back from the Shakers disappointment and quickly get back on track.

Humes said: “The big thing now is how we react to this.

“That’s why we have to keep everything positive and reflect on the six games where we’ve been unbeaten.

“You want a settled team and consistency throughout the team.

“You just keep going forward and look to the next game now.

“The players are disappointed but I’m sure they’re already looking forward to the Shrewsbury game and a chance to put it right.

“We have to put one or two things right for when we go to Shrewsbury.

“But there’s nothing really wrong and we don’t have to make wholesale changes or anything.

“The future is bright as long as the players keep believing and keep being creative and positive in our play - there’s a lot to look forward to.”

Colchester failed to score for the first time in eight league and cup matches when they were beaten by Bury.

But the U’s still remain one of the most prolific teams in League One and only five sides in the division have hit the net more times.

“You look at the last few performances and you see that when you get the goal, it makes an awful lot of difference,” added Humes.

“There will be times when we can’t quite get the goal.

“You can’t go on scoring week in, week out – it doesn’t work like that and teams will try and stop you from playing.

“But as long as we keep sticking to what we’re trying to do and don’t turn away from playing in that style, then you’ve got to think that we’ll be fine.

“It’s just one or two areas where we have to be a bit sharper.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.