DANNY Cowley admits his Colchester United conceded two 'really poor goals' to lose 2-1 at Swindon Town and bow out of the FA Cup at the first-round stage.

The U's had led through Harry Anderson's 64th-minute strike but Joel McGregor equalised in the 83rd minute for the hosts, before Kabongo Tshimanga struck the Robins' winner in the first minute of the second period of extra-time.

Cowley said: "It's really disappointing.

"We had a really good place in the game and I thought we worked really hard to get into the place that we were in, scored a really good goal.

READ MORE: Match report after Colchester lost to Swindon in the FA Cup

"I'm pleased for Harry to have the impact that we expect him to have.

"It was a really good finish and we get in a good place in the game and then we shoot ourselves in the foot with two really poor goals.

"The first one we get away with and then somehow lose the ball again in our penalty area and then they're able to score and the second goal is just beyond me really, because I've never seen a goal scored like that; I don't think any of my teams have been involved in a goal like that.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

"It was just a long throw, we organised and we've been dealing with it all game and their boy (Tshimanga) in the middle of our six-yard box is able to take three touches and prod it into the goal.

"We didn't do our jobs and we have to feel the pain of that.

"It's not for me to come here and dig individuals out; I don't think that's the right thing to do publicly but for us, to look people in the eye and tell them the truth, which we will do privately.

"You can work as hard as you want and put as much effort into a performance as we did but if you concede goals like that, you don't win."

READ MORE: Swindon Town 2 Colchester United 1 - as it happened

Colchester had looked in control after Anderson had fired them ahead and went close to doubling their lead through substitute Tom Hopper.

And even after McGregor had equalised for Swindon, the visitors had hit the woodwork through Jack Payne.

"We were building on our lead and we went close through Tom Hopper but then they score and they had very little, up until that point," added Cowley.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

"Prior to their winner, Jack Payne hit the bar with a really good effort but I don't feel sorry for us and I don't feel sorry for myself - I think you earn your own luck.

"If you concede the goals that we did then you don't deserve to win, it's as simple as that, no matter how hard you work or how well you play and we had some good moments today.

"We have to go away and try to keep working on avoiding conceding those goals but it's frustrating, because when you have key players out offensively, you have to do all you can to make sure you are really resolute in the way that you defend."