Colchester United manager Joe Dunne offered no excuses after seeing his side crash out of the FA Cup at neighbours Chelmsford City.
The U's were beaten 3-1 at Melbourne Park by the Blue Square Bet South side, for whom Donovan Simmonds scored twice and Jamie Slabber also netted.
Michael Rose's free-kick gave Colchester hope in the first-round tie but in the end, it proved to be only a consolation for the League One side.
Dunne said: “We’re desperately disappointed to lose the match.
“That’s a bit of an understatement.
“I can stand here and say that every ingredient that was needed all seemed to come into play.
“But I don’t want to take anything from Chelmsford – I want them to have a great day and they’ve earned the right to be in the next round and we haven’t.
“That’s what the cup is about – it’s about earning the right and we just fell short."
See Monday's Gazette for a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester's cup defeat at Chelmsford City.
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