The morale-boost that had been provided by Tuesday’s win against Gillingham couldn’t be repeated at stadium:MK for Joe Dunne's Colchester United.

Scott Vernon’s second-half header wasn’t enough to overcome a two-goal deficit, but caretaker boss Dunne feels the team played the game with the right spirit.

He said: “We did our best and tried to create chances but it wasn’t to be.

“We thought at 1-0 we could certainly get back into it.

“They probably should have gone up by more but overall we thought we dealt with it and got into some good positions when perhaps we lacked the killer ball or touch.

“They threw bodies in the way, but overall I thought if we play like that and with that sort of spirit and commitment then we will win more games than we lose.

“They had too much ball in midfield in the first half, but I felt we nullified that second half by pushing up higher so we left a few gaps which they exploited .

“But they exploited gaps by us being on the attack and nearly getting something from it.”

U’s winger Ashley Vincent said:“We were disappointed to be down at half-time as we had created enough chances and we had plenty in the second half so are disappointed not to get something out of it.

“The feeling in the dressing room is we definitely deserved something out of the game.

“I had a couple of chances myself and we are just bitterly disappointed to lose but if we show that commitment against Leeds we won’t be far away.

“Joe has taken over and nothing has changed at all for us.

“There is no excuse because of the manager and we want to be top of the league and promoted, whoever is the manager.

“So far Joe has done a great job.”

Dunne added: “I’ve been in situations when you have no manager and I’m pretty sure that there will be plenty of people who will say (after this defeat) ‘oh, that is why you need a new manager’.

“We have lost a game and everything will be my fault, but as players they have to give their all because if they don’t they are going to get beaten, simple as that.

“I thought they gave their all and it was just one of those days when it wasn't meant to be.

“But I’m telling you, if we can do that over and over again it will mean something at the end of the season.”