‘It’s going to be a slog’

UNHAPPY VIEWING . . . a frustrated Lee Johnson watches from the sidelines.

A sluggish start cost Athletic dear as they fell to a fourth home league defeat of the season.

Teenager Sammie Szmodics won the game for Colchester with the only goal after less than two minutes, but there were close shaves in an improved second-half show from Lee Jonson’s team.

But the end result was a bitter pill for everyone at the club after a £5-entry offer had swelled the crowd.

And Johnson feels that the latest disappointment shows that his side too often can't take the extra step to tip the balance their way.

“It isn't what you want, is it?” he said. “In the second half we gave it a go. The substitutes gave us a bit of energy and impetus, but what killed us was the first 20 minutes.

“We conceded a poor goal. We knew that set pieces could be an issue and you just have to look at the individual mistakes. We keep knocking, but we just have to go that extra mile. There are so many minor things that count in the big picture.

“I don't know what it was and I wish I did. I don't know if it was because they couldn't handle the pressure of a better crowd, or couldn't handle the fact we couldn't break down a side in the bottom four.

“Let's not mask it. We have lost to too many of the sides near the bottom and it is poor. I am very disappointed we couldn't take advantage, but it looks like it is going to be a slog. It was a disappointing performance but we just have to move on.”