Mark Kinsella was content with Colchester United's showing in their 2-1 win over Maldon and Tiptree this afternoon.

Colchester number two Kinsella, who took charge of the U's side in the absence of boss Joe Dunne, admitted his players found the Park Drive surface tough to play on but was satisfied with their display, with the new League One season now only a week away.

Goals from Daniel Pappoe and Freddie Sears cancelled out Leon McKenzie's equaliser for Maldon.

Kinsella said: "Overall, it was very pleasing.

"We've had a long pre-season and this was our tenth friendly.

"It was a game where we didn't want to pick up any silly injuries ahead of the Gillingham game, next Saturday.

"A lot of the lads who needed 90 minutes got that.

"It was a tough surface to play on against a Maldon side who worked hard and closed us down.

"We tried to shift the ball on the surface which I thought that we did.

"They made quite a few substitutions in the second half whereas we tried to leave our players on and I guess that affects it.

"We were slow out of the blocks in the second half and we switched off on a free-kick we gave away.

"We didn't get back into shape and they scored off it but these are things we're learning.

"We're trying to make any mistakes in pre-season and make sure they don't happen again."

For a report, pictures and reaction to the U's win at Maldon and Tiptree, see Monday's Daily Gazette.