HAYDEN Mullins secured his first win as Colchester United’s interim head coach, at the weekend.

Mullins led the U’s to a crucial 2-1 victory over Walsall, to increase the gap between themselves and the bottom two to six points, with four games remaining.

The former Watford caretaker boss, who last month took temporary charge of the U’s until the end of the season, has lost only one of his four games at the helm.

And his former West Ham United team-mate Dean Ashton admits he is not surprised that Mullins is having an impact, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Ashton, who won an England cap in 2008, spent nearly four years with Mullins at West Ham United between January, 2006 and December, 2009.

And the former striker says his ex-Hammers team-mate Mullins is a cool header under pressure, as he bids to leads Colchester to Football League safety.

Speaking on Quest’s EFL on Quest show, former England striker Ashton said: “He’s the calmest bloke I think I’ve ever spent time with and worked with.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he can go in there and maybe just settle the nerves, in such a tough relegation battle.

“It was so vital and to be honest, it should have been more than 2-1.

“There were 18 attempts from Colchester and it could have been a lot better.

“That’s his first victory and only one defeat from the four games that he’s been in charge.

“They have Southend on Tuesday, which is massive.”

Colchester will be hoping to follow up their victory over Walsall with another positive result, tomorrow night.

The U's host Essex neighbours Southend United, who sit six points and one place below them in the League Two table, at the JobServe Community Stadium, kick-off 7pm.