DAVID Artell felt his Grimsby Town side were hit by a 'sucker punch' after losing 1-0 at home to Colchester United.

JK Gordon's 78th-minute strike proved the difference between the two sides at Blundell Park, as the U's claimed their first away win of the season.

Grimsby had started the day in League Two play-off positions and boss Artell felt they deserved much more from the game.

Artell told the Grimsby Town YouTube channel: "I thought we had by far the better chances, in the whole game.

"We've had more possession, we've created more and then we've got done with a sucker punch in the end, which we've done to teams away from home.

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"So lots of positives in terms of creating big chances, really purposeful chances and having more of the ball but actually not taking them and goals change games.

"We didn't deserve to lose the game by a long stretch in my eyes but we're sat here and we have, so we've got to take our medicine.

"It was attritional at times due to the weather but I thought we were fine with that.

"I don't think we got overawed or out-fought, which happened a couple of times earlier in the season.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

"We needed to create a bit more but actually, we needed to be more ruthless at both ends of the pitch and if we'd have done that, we'd have been out of sight before they'd even had their one chance of the whole game.

"We've played a lot worse than that and won this season; for example, we played worse at Wimbledon and won."

Colchester claimed victory at a rainswept Blundell Park after Gordon collected a pass from fellow substitute Jack Payne and fired past Grimsby goalkeeper, Jordan Wright.

"I think they've had one chance, all game; they've had a few pot shots from 20 yards out or something but we've had by far the biggest chances," added former Crewe Alexandra boss Artell.

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"We should have been at least two up at half-time but we weren't and even with the last kick of the game, we've had a great chance.

"We've got in behind a couple of times and that's the disappointing thing - it should have been a draw as an absolute minimum and it's not and sometimes, you have to take your medicine and it's a step in the right direction, even if the result isn't."