NIGEL Adkins reflected on the 'annoying goals' his Tranmere Rovers side conceded after they lost 3-0 at Colchester United.

Lyle Taylor's first-half brace and Samson Tovide's strike in the second half condemned Rovers to defeat at the JobServe Community Stadium, their second successive 3-0 loss on the road.

Tranmere boss Adkins said: "There were some very good things we did but there are also things for us to work on.

"We'll reflect on it, as we always do.

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"For me, it's annoying we've conceded goals away from home and we can't let that happen.

"When we look at the goals we've conceded, it's us being in the ascendency with the ball and trying to win the game, instead of maybe sitting back, defending and counter attacking so it's a different evolution of where we are, for the goals that we've conceded.

"Therefore, we've got to get better in possession of the football.

“It’s never great to concede an early goal.

“They’ve got the ball, we’re in a good shape and young Zak (Bradshaw) has just slipped a little bit and give them credit, because it’s a good ball through and it’s a good cross and a good finish.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“It’s how you respond when you go behind and the game was a bit stop-start.

“We’ve got ourselves in the game but then they go down the other side of the pitch and it was another good cross by them, to be fair and another finish.

“We were well in the game second half but Regan Hendry mis-controls it, gets pounced on and they go and score and make it 3-0.

“It’s really annoying, as the players have been made well aware of and goals change the complexion of games.”

Tranmere were in the main disappointing, although substitute Kristian Dennis did hit the woodwork late on and Colchester keeper Matt Macey denied Harvey Saunders and Connor Wood.

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"We had chances - we had four or five chances in the first half," added former Southampton boss Adkins.

"Harvey Saunders is through one on one and has got to do better, Kristian Dennis who did really well when he came on hit the post, their keeper has made a good save from Woody (Connor Wood) towards the end.

"There was a couple of long-range shots and they've had bodies in there to go and defend it.

"We've had a lot of possession of the ball and maybe we got caught when we've had good possession.

"From my point of view, we've got to make sure that regroup and get ready to be back at Prenton Park.

"We've had three long trips away from home - we got a victory against Carlisle, disappointing scoreline against Gillingham and a disappointing scoreline here at Colchester."