COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal admitted his side have plenty to work on defensively after their pre-season friendly victory at Dartford.

Ronnie Vint’s late own goal gave the U’s a 1-0 success, with just a fortnight to go until the new League Two season.

But despite keeping a clean sheet, Colchester’s defence came under threat at times and McGreal says improvement is necessary – starting with Tuesday’s next friendly against Championship side Millwall.

“They’re always good work-outs when you come to grounds like this,” he said.

“It’s a lovely facility.

“Dartford play a certain way and it’s a good way.

“They caused us one or two problems in the first half, hitting their big lad up top, and that’s why we want these types of games.

“They’re hand-picked, knowing this is the sort of challenge we’re going to come up against in League Two.

“Attacking-wise, I thought we were good in the first half, playing through the thirds, but too wasteful in and around the box.

“Defensively, though, we were far too open (in the first half).

“We weren’t on it.

“It was a little bit like a basketball match where we had an attack and then they had an attack.

“In the second half we put that right a bit by changing our shape but overall one or two poor decisions were made, which we need to improve on.”

Colchester’s victory was their fourth of the summer, following earlier successes against Maldon and Tiptree, Braintree Town and Colwyn Bay.

They were then held to a 1-1 draw at Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday.

However, McGreal said: “I don’t read anything into the results.

“Friendlies are about minutes and taking the habits we’re forming in training into matches.

“That’s why a match like this is such a great exercise.

“Fitness-wise, the boys are where I’d expect them to be.

“We’ve really fatigued them this week, with the game on Tuesday and then a couple of heavy sessions on Thursday and Friday.

“Saturday then gave them another run-out and we’re just trying to get the boys up to speed at the moment.”