SOL Campbell labelled Colchester United a ‘top team’ after they beat his Macclesfield Town side 1-0 at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Mikael Mandron’s first-half strike ensured Campbell’s first league game in charge of the lowly Silkmen ended in defeat.

Campbell admitted it was a hard game for his bottom-of-the-table Macclesfield side, as they look for points to claim off the foot of the League Two table.

Nevertheless, the former England defender, who was appointed manager at Moss Rose at the end of last month, was pleased with his players' effort levels against the U’s.

Campbell said: “The lads played well – they worked hard.

“Colchester are a top, top team – they’re riding high in the league and for us, we just needed a little bit of luck in front of goal.

“We had a couple of really good chances.

“We contained them to long-distance shots and I thought the goal was conceded was from doing enough tracking back.

“But other than that, you can see that it was a hard game for Colchester and that’s what we have to do now, between now and the end of the season.

“We have to make it difficult for teams and then get our chances and then hopefully get a little bit of luck in front of goal.

“The effort was there and the lads really worked their socks off.

“That really gave me that heart to say ‘as long as you’re working to get in the right positions and give the front line opportunities’ that what’s we have to do and work hard on and off the ball.”

Campbell takes charge of his first-ever home league game when Macclesfield host Crawley Town next weekend and the former centre-back is adamant there is enough time to pull clear to safety.

He added: “We’ve got enough games (to get out of trouble) so we just have to keep it going – we’re six points adrift so that’s two wins.

“I’ve said before that every single game is a cup final.

“The lads are up for it, we’re working hard and we’ll keep working hard on the training ground and doing the right things.”