Colchester United manager Joe Dunne said his side deserved at least a draw after they fell to a narrow defeat at Leyton Orient.

The U’s were beaten 2-1 in a cracking contest at Brisbane Road.

Former U’s player David Mooney gave the promotion-chasing O’s a first-half lead.

And although substitute Marcus Bean headed in an 80th-minute equaliser, Moses Odubajo struck the winner four minutes later to leave Colchester’s travelling support of nearly 800 supporters disappointed, as they made their way back up the A12.

Dunne said: “I think anyone who was at the game will have witnessed that the better team lost.

“I thought the very least that we deserved was a draw and we did all of the attacking and made their keeper work, whereas ours didn’t have to.

“Two switch-off moments have cost us but unfortunately, that’s what you get when you’re (playing a) top of the league (side).

“But overall, I’m very pleased with the performances of late.

“It’s got to turn, because we can’t keep playing the way we’re playing at the moment and not pick up wins or pick up points.”

“I thought that we were excellent.

“I’m very pleased with the performance and we’ll go onto the next one.”

“All of the stats pointed to an away victory but I don’t think Russell (Slade) will care about that, will he?

“He’s won the game and it’s a simple moment that’s cost us.

“It’s a ricochet that’s gone through someone’s legs and Odubajo (scored).

“But we have to keep going and there were some tremendous performances from us.”

For five pages of coverage of Colchester’s game at Leyton Orient, see Monday’s Gazette.