COHEN Bramall has revealed one of the main secrets behind his set-piece success for Colchester United.

The attacking left-back has lit up League Two this season with his dead-ball deliveries, for the U's.

Bramall hit the crossbar with a long-range free-kick in Colchester's 3-0 win at Carlisle United, last weekend.

The former Arsenal defender also had a similar set-piece tipped over and also provided the corner that led to Luke Norris scoring the U's second goal, at Brunton Park.

Bramall has revealed putting in the hours at the U's Florence Park training ground has played a big part in his success, this season.

Bramall said: “I practice the set pieces a lot on the training ground, especially the central free-kicks.

“I’ve been practising the technique of how to hit the ball and how hard to hit it.

“I’ve naturally had the power and curl with the wider free-kicks – my Dad has always taught me that.

“When I was in non-league and Sunday League football, I used to always try and score from a corner.

“I scored a couple but it’s not easy and it’s a lot harder, at this level!

“It feels good when you can play a part in goals like that, especially against Swindon where we were 1-0 down.

“The practice pays off.

“Frank (Nouble) has always backed me in training, constantly telling me to take set pieces.

“People like Frank feeding me with confidence is just helping me as a player."

Bramall has caught the eye at left-back for Colchester this season since arriving at the JobServe Community Stadium, last August.

The 23-year-old defender, who was linked with a move to Championship club Wigan Athletic in the January transfer window, was praised by U's boss John McGreal following his impressive showing at Carlisle.

“We looked at his display (against Cheltenham) last week and felt he let himself a little bit but (against Carlisle), I thought he was right on the money," said McGreal.

“He could have scored one and he set one up."

Bramall will be hoping to play his part when Colchester host Scunthorpe United, on Saturday.

The U's lie in sixth spot in League Two, with nine games of the season remaining.

Colchester are currently ten points adrift of the top three but former Birmingham City loanee Bramall is still setting his sights high.

“The team’s doing well," added the full-back, who has made 30 league and cup appearances for Colchester so far this season.

“We don’t want play-offs, we want automatic promotion.

“That’s what we’re aiming for."