LYLE Taylor has apologised to Colchester United supporters on the players' behalf for what he has branded an ‘completely and utterly unacceptable’ surrender in their 3-3 draw at ten-man Morecambe.

The U’s were seemingly cruising to victory at the Mazuma Stadium, leading 3-1 thanks to goals from Taylor, Owura Edwards and Samson Tovide.

But Colchester conceded two late goals to draw with a Shrimps side who had played for the whole of the second half with a numerical disadvantage, after their defender Luke Hendrie was sent off just before half-time.

READ MORE: Danny Cowley's verdict on Colchester's draw with Morecambe

Taylor had been substituted when Colchester were leading 3-1 and the experienced striker admits the players must take responsibility for what happened, after they allowed a two-goal advantage to slip in the closing stages.

Taylor said: “What our fans have travelled all the way up here and just witnessed is completely unacceptable.

“We weren’t good enough to start the game; we started slowly, which isn’t like us.

“We get a lifeline with Owura (Edwards) forcing their kid (Luke Hendrie) into getting sent off.

“I thought Owura was sensational and he comes out of this with some credit.

“We were in complete control of the game.

“I don’t want to be disrespectful but it was so easy.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“We controlled the middle of the park as you should, we’re playing against ten men.

“We’re a group of professional footballers playing in a game that’s really open, with an overload in midfield – we should be able to dominate the ball and dominate the game.

“We didn’t take enough chances but we were still comfortable, at 3-1.

“But what happens from the 82nd minute onwards is so far beyond what is acceptable, it’s actually embarrassing.

“I apologise on behalf of the group, to all of our fans that travelled and all of our fans at home and the manager and the rest of the staff, because this one lies squarely at our door.

READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after Morecambe draw

“We’re a group and we have to take responsibility – there’s a lot of words I can’t say, unfortunately.

“It was completely and utterly unacceptable and we in the dressing room have to take ownership.

“From this point forward, if anyone sees anyone shirking responsibility for what’s just happened, then I don’t think those players will be in the group very long.

“I’ve never seen that happen I don’t think in my career.

“I’ve been part of comebacks and been on the wrong side of comebacks.

“But I’ve never seen a comeback from ten men in a game that was so comfortable for the 11, in my life.

READ MORE: Match report as U's surrender lead to draw at Morecambe

“The only time I want to see that again is when we’re down to ten.

“I can’t apologise enough to the fans and it’s unacceptable.

“We apologise and I’m simply the one delivering the message.

“For every single one of them that came up here, their support today and throughout the season has been unbelievable and thank you for that and I’m just genuinely really sorry.”

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Taylor scored his first Colchester goal at Morecambe, finishing Samson Tovide’s excellent pass from close range.

The former Nottingham Forest striker said: “Samson’s assist was unbelievable.

“The finish is the finish and I have to get on the end of that and score.

“But the pass…if that was on Match of the Day and it was De Bruyne or Erling Haaland, we’d be raving about it for a long time and it would be on all of the highlight reels.

“It was outrageous and incredible quality.”