Colchester United manager Joe Dunne admitted he was left hurting after seeing his side surrender a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Crewe Alexandra.

Goals from Freddie Sears and Ian Henderson inside the first half hour had put the U’s in charge, at Gresty Road.

But strikes from Lauri Dalla Valle, Luke Murphy and Mathias Pogba gave the Railwaymen victory and condemned Colchester to a third successive defeat.

Dunne said: “I’m hurt and this is the worst I’ve felt after a game.

“It was a situation where we were comfortable and it seems to be when we concede the first goal.

“We felt aggrieved by the first goal because we thought it might have been offside but they’ve had two other opportunities after that where they’ve scored.

“We were left chasing the game again after being in a good position and it seems to be a habit at the moment but the players have got to keep going.

“The commitment and effort is all there and we showed good quality moments but maybe we got too comfortable, in terms of being in charge of the game.

“We need to look at it closely and we need to bounce back.”

For a full match report, pictures and reaction to Colchester’s defeat at Crewe, see Monday’s Gazette.