Colchester United head coach John McGreal was disappointed with his side's lack of cutting edge after they were beaten 3-1 at Wycombe Wanderers.

The U's suffered back-to-back defeats in League Two for the first time since September after falling to a disappointing loss, at Adams Park.

Goals from Ade Akinfenwa, Paris Cowan-Hall and Luke O'Nien put Wycombe in charge, before Sammie Szmodics pulled a late goal back for the visitors who are now three points adrift of the play-off places.

McGreal said: "It's a setback and it's the first time in a long time that the boys have had back to back defeats.

"It's hard to take at the minute and we'll have to thoroughly analyse it.

"We went with an attacking line-up and we have had great opportunities throughout the game and asked questions but I thought we were wasteful and the defending aspect was disappointing.

"We're disappointed with the scoreline, especially with the start that we had which was terrific.

"We should have been leading through Kurtis Guthrie's header.

"We've worked on things all week like quick throw ins and (Ade) Akinfenwa pulling off back post and it's as though we've just totally knocked off (for Wycombe's first goal).

"It was a quick throw in, into the box and we haven't dealt with the box.

"The second goal was third or fourth phase and the ball was flying around the box - we haven't got a foot on it and it's just squirmed into the corner.

"Before we know it, after a good start we were 2-0 down and it was a realisation then that we were 2-0 down and we started playing."

McGreal felt Wycombe should have been reduced to ten men just before the half hour mark when Nathan McGinley appeared to haul down Mikael Mandron on the edge of the hosts' area.

"It was a horrendous decision," said McGreal.

"Mika was brought down outside the box and it should have been a red card.

"The fourth official said it was the wrong decision and I would also question the linesman and where he was positioned.

"The referee seems to think that the lad has got the ball but we've watched it back on the video and he's nowhere near it - he's definitely got that one wrong.

"It was a good time for us as well and we started getting it in and around them but to be fair to them, they got bodies on the line."