Colchester United were beaten at Barrow in League Two

The U’s were, in the main, well organised and disciplined, matched their play-off chasing opponents in most areas and enjoyed plenty of possession but ultimately fell short when it really counted.

Crucially, Colchester lacked the quality in the final third to hurt Barrow, while their hosts in contrast found a way to win the game.

Saying that, the U’s did not get the rub of the green, at Holker Street.

READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after Barrow defeat

They will probably feel they should have been awarded a first-half penalty when Tyrell Warren appeared to handle the ball in the area, while the decision to penalise substitute Riley Harbottle for a foul on Cole Stockton on the edge of the area was debatable to say the least, with Kian Spence curling home the resultant free-kick.

It did not help Colchester’s cause either when the unfortunate Mandela Egbo limped off with a knee injury before half-time, which disrupted the visitors’ game plan somewhat.

When you're down there in the relegation mire, things tend to go against you.

Not that Danny Cowley is looking for excuses.

All of these factors contributed to the U’s demise in Cumbria but the U’s head coach chose to instead rally his troops, ahead of pivotal back-to-back home games on the immediate horizon.

“Some decisions went against us but that will happen and we can’t control that,” said Cowley.

“I don’t want to put any negative energy in that – I want us players and staff to go away and look at ourselves at what we can do better.”

Put simply, Colchester must focus all of their efforts on trying to win football matches.

They have been close to doing so a number of times under the Cowleys but on most of those occasions,. have had to make do with only a draw at best.

This is a main factor in them residing where they are in the League Two table, two points above the relegation zone with 11 games remaining.

READ MORE: 'Worrying times': U's fans have their say on Barrow defeat

The gap is closing; Sutton United and more crucially perhaps, Forest Green Rovers, are finding a way to get points on the board just when they need them.

One of the reasons for this is the fact that they are managing to score goals and the U’s struggles in front of goal are proving detrimental.

Just three goals scored in their last five matches has inevitably cranked up the pressure, at the other end of the pitch.

The attacking approach Danny and Nicky Cowley utilise in the crucial upcoming home games against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night and Walsall next weekend must be effective, if Colchester are to claim the wins they now so desperately need.