Colchester United manager Joe Dunne is confident his side can end their recent poor record against Notts County tonight.

The U's travel to Nottingham looking for their first win of the new League One season.

Colchester have not beaten the Magpies in their last five attempts and have lost on their last five visits to Meadow Lane.

However, Colchester's last three trips to the venue have come at the back end of the campaign - and Dunne thinks that could make a difference.

Dunne said: “Timing-wise, we’re getting Notts County earlier in the season.

“When we’ve played them in previous times, they’ve been at crucial times where we've been trying to stay in the league.

“But there’s a freshness in that it’s the start of the season and the pitch will be good, which will make a difference.

“Shaun (Derry) has worked hard on his squad in the summer.

“He’s maybe had to make one or two decisions, based on injury and squad selection.

“Our focus will be to go there and win.

“They’re like us I suppose in the sense that in order to take the next step, they need stability.

“They’ve had a go at it over recent years, in terms of ownership and managers.

“I think with Shaun there now, they have someone in charge who is passionate about the club.

“He did a tremendous job last season to keep them in the league and it really was the great escape.

“We know what that's like.

“The game gives them an opportunity to bounce back from their home defeat against Fleetwood."

For a three-page preview of Colchester's game at Notts County, see Tuesday's Daily Gazette.