Colchester United caretaker manager Joe Dunne felt his side matched in-form Leeds United in most departments.

The U’s slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of the joint Coca-Cola League One leaders, in front of a bumper crowd at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Bradley Johnson headed Leeds ahead, just after half-time.

And although striker Kevin Lisbie equalised from the penalty spot for Colchester soon after, Jermaine Beckford fired in Leeds' winner midway through the second half.

Dunne said: “I felt we acquitted ourselves really well and we got the response we wanted.

“We fell short, but not by much. Just after half-time, the referee has given a free-kick for what, we’re not quite sure.

“In the end, it was a free header at the back post.

“But we got the response, which has always been there over the last few weeks.

“We seem to be good at bouncing back from adversity.

“But we ended up chasing the game in the end.

“Their second goal was a horrible goal for us to concede and it took a goal like that to beat us, against a team that is top of the league.

“It was a deflected goal that kept them top of the league and that’s hard to take.

“Obviously, the buck stops with me and it was a crazy goal for them to win it.

“But I thought that our game plan was right and we coped ok.”

Dunne said he was devastated to lose what is likely to be his final league game in temporary charge of the U’s.

“We’re desperately disappointed because I know how much it means to the town,” he said.

“It was an emotional day for everyone and we honestly believed that we could win.

“It was a full house, probably the biggest home crowd we’ll have this season.”

Colchester have lost two and won one of the three games Dunne has taken charge of, following Lambert’s departure.

After beating Gillingham in his first game in temporary charge, they have lost to MK Dons and now Leeds.

Dunne added: “The effort and commitment and professionalism has all been there over the last couple of weeks.

“We could have taken something from the last two games but I have no criticism of the players, because I think that they’ve been phenomenal.

“Two results have gone against us by the narrowest of margins against two teams that will be in the top four.

“I think we can take a lot from them but we have nothing to show for it.”