11:16pm Saturday 20th March 2010
By Jonathan Waldron
Colchester United manager Aidy Boothroyd refused to make excuses for his side after they were beaten 1-0 by ten-man Walsall.
The U's played against the Saddlers for more than 45 minutes with a one-man advantage at the Bescot Stadium, after captain Mark Hughes was shown a straight red card just before half-time for a foul on Ashley Vincent.
But they failed to make the most of their chance and substitute Darren Byfield scored Walsall's winner, deep into stoppage-time.
It looked as though midfielder John-Joe O'Toole had been fouled in the build-up to the goal.
However, boss Boothroyd refused to blame referee Geoff Eltringham for his side's disappointing defeat.
He said: “I don't make excuses.
“I think we had enough in the squad to win the game.
“Their goalkeeper has won the man of the match and sometimes that happens.
“You have to make sure that you take the point which could be the difference come the end of the season.
“But we're so desperate to win we forgot to keep our guard up and we got punished for it.
“We should have won the game earlier and we didn't so we have to accept that.
“Unfortunately, you do rely on referee decisions but I hear that every week from some other managers.
“We have to be responsible and accountable for what we do and we should have been able to finish the game off."
For much more reaction to Colchester's 1-0 defeat at Walsall, see Monday's Gazette.
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