Colchester United head coach John McGreal admitted their game at unbeaten Carlisle United was lost in both boxes after they fell to a 2-0 defeat.

The U's produced a good first-half display in a goal-less opening 45 minutes.

But Jason Kennedy's strike early in the second half left them trailing.

And although Sammie Szmodics and Drey Wright had chances to level, former Colchester striker Jabo Ibehre wrapped up Carlisle's win with 11 minutes remaining, to leave the U's facing a long trip back to Essex empty-handed.

McGreal said: “For us to come away from home and put in a performance like that in the first half against a team who have been going for records and this, that and the other, we were delighted.

“We had a chat at half-time, regrouped and started OK but conceded a set-piece goal.

“But then we kicked on again and we passed the ball and created really good opportunities which we didn’t take and it was what happened in both boxes that affected us.

“We knew that we’d be able to get the ball down and get it into areas where we thought we could hurt them and we knew that they’d be a threat at set-pieces and I think that’s how it’s panned out.

“It’s that detail at the wrong time of the game and we’ve knocked off and they’ve scored.

“But we can’t get doom and gloom – we’re only 11 games and there’s tons of points to play for.

“They’re a little bit sore mentally after what’s happened but we need to keep that belief and positivity around the group and we’ll pick them up.”