The experienced U’s campaigner says Colchester must keep fighting for each other as they prepare to welcome Exeter City on Saturday.

Colchester were left bitterly disappointed following their 1-0 defeat at Newport County last weekend, extending their wait for another league victory.

But Digby believes there is little value in dwelling on the setback and wants the U’s to use the frustration of recent results as motivation.

“You’re frustrated and angry when you’re on the wrong end of a defeat like that,” said Digby.

“You’ve got to use that anger and make sure that you push the team and push ourselves as a group in the right direction, moving forward.

“We need to make sure that we work hard on the training pitch and give our all, for some really big games coming up.

“We have to make sure that we keep pushing and keep fighting for each other to find those margins.”

Experienced - Colchester United's Paul Digby (Image: cu-fc.com)

Digby is conscious of the responsibility he and Colchester's other experienced players have during a testing spell.

And the 31-year-old, who has amassed considerable EFL experience during his career, is determined to help the U’s younger players through it.

“You’ve got to help the younger lads through moments like this, as all of the lads have helped me throughout my career,” said Digby, who has made nearly 400 league and cup appearances.

“That’s what I’ll be doing my best to do.

“The boys are all fantastic professionals and we’ll all be working and fighting in the one direction to push the margins in our favour.”

Colchester came away empty-handed from Newport after Cardiff loanee Tan Nyakuhwa netted the hosts’ late winner.

Digby felt there had been little between the sides and was especially disappointed given the U’s appeared to be enjoying a promising spell, before conceding.

“We were really angry and frustrated that we’ve not managed to get anything out of the game,” said the former Ipswich Town and Cambridge United man.

Leader - Colchester United's Paul Digby (centre) applauds the U's fans (Image: Richard Blaxall)

“It was a really tight game; plenty of fight, plenty of competing from both sides. A proper League Two game, but we were really frustrated with the result.

“We were probably on top in that moment before they scored.

“Unfortunately, we lost the ball in a dangerous position for them and they punished us, so incredibly frustrating.

“We need to make sure we dust ourselves down and go again.”

Colchester went into the Newport game on the back of injury blows suffered by Kylian Kouassi and Sean Raggett.

Digby admits their setbacks have hit the squad hard but says their team-mates must rally around the pair while continuing to push forward themselves.

“They’re two big players for us,” he said.

“We’re all devastated to see that and you never want that for your team-mates.

Rallying call - Colchester United's Paul Digby (Image: Richard Blaxall)

“But we need to rally around them and rally around each other and make sure that we keep pushing the group in the right direction, because unfortunately, these things happen in professional sport.”

Digby has himself been required to adapt, featuring at centre-back after moving back from his more familiar central midfield role.

But the versatile U’s man insists he is happy to play wherever required as Colchester strive to rediscover winning form.

“I’ve done both throughout my career,” added Digby.

“I do my job for the team and help the boys out with whatever’s asked of me.

“I’ve done that all throughout my career and try and give my all.”