COLCHESTER United are now firing on all cylinders – and boss Danny Cowley feels his side are leading from the front.

The U’s are now League Two’s second-highest scorers with 12 goals, having hit the net six times in their last two matches.

Only fourth-placed Notts County have netted on more occasions so far this season, with Lyle Taylor and Samson Tovide bagging five goals between them in the last two matches following the 3-0 win over Tranmere Rovers, last weekend.

READ MORE: Dynamite duo's partnership is exploding into life for U's

Cowley is pleased to see his attacking players looking effective but the U’s boss says they are contributing to all aspects of his team’s game.

Cowley said: “We want to play with two forwards, we want to play with attacking players.

“You can’t pick much more of an attacking team than that.

“You had the front two, Samson and Lyle, we had Owura, we had Jack Payne, we had Teddy Bishop – there was a lot of attacking players out there.

“We love attacking players out there but the attacking players have to defend as a team and have to really focus on that aspect of the team and really respect that side of the game.

“I thought Lyle led by example – I know he doesn’t wear the armband but he’s a leader to us.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“I liked the attacking players’ mindset, because I know they’d talked about not just the creative side of the game but the nitty gritty part of a League Two winning performance.”

Colchester are now unbeaten in five matches, following the win over Tranmere.

With back-to-back away games on the horizon against Walsall and then Port Vale, boss Cowley wants his side to continue their good run.

“We’ve had back to back wins which is good and we’re unbeaten in five,” said Cowley.

“What will define our success is our ability to defend really well as a team.

“If we can do that consistently well moving forward, then we can continue this good run.

READ MORE: Nigel Adkins disappointed with 'annoying goals' conceded

“We put a really good performance together against Tranmere but for me to get excited, they’ve got to do it consistently.

“But now I know they can do it, I’m the greedy coach and that’s what I expect.”

Tom Hopper was absent from the Colchester squad for the win over Tranmere Rovers.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

The experienced forward has had an injection in his groin but could return for the trip to play Walsall, on Saturday.

Cowley added: “Tom just felt his groin.

“He had exactly the same last year and has had an injection in it (on Saturday) so it should only be five days to let that recover.”