COLCHESTER United boss Hayden Mullins admits his side contributed to their own downfall with the errors they made following their 3-1 home defeat to Sutton United.

The ten-man U's suffered a second successive defeat in League Two in their first-ever league contest with the Yellows at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Colchester had a dream start after taking the lead through Freddie Sears in the second minute.

But first-half goals from David Ajiboye and Rob Milsom - who converted a penalty conceded after Samson Tovide handled on the line in the area and was sent off - turned things around.

And Ben Goodliffe's header on the hour sealed Sutton's victory, leaving boss Mullins frustrated.

Mullins said: "We contributed to our own defeat, which is disappointing.

"We really wanted to target this game and have a real good go at it.

"We made a great start - we knew that they had threats in behind and that they are quick.

"But we gifted them their first goal.

"It looks like Charlie (Daniels) is trying to shepherd it out for a corner and doesn't see their man round the back.

"We've just got to clear that and put our head through it and make sure we clear our lines.

"The second goal was the penalty and the sending off and the third one has gone through Shamal (George), which is tough because he's been brilliant all season.

"At 2-1, Freddie (Sears) had a chance to get us back in the game and then there was the moment he went through and the guy (Ben Goodliffe) takes him down on the edge of the box.

"For me, Freddie is just about to pull the trigger and the guy is the last man - we don't get the rub of the green with that.

"The ref seems to think someone is covering round but the next defender is a long way around."

Gazette:

Colchester were forced to play for more than an hour with only ten men, following Tovide's red card.

The teenage forward was sent off by referee Bobby Madley for deliberately handling Isaac Olaofe’s effort on the line.

Mullins said: “It’s a tough one to take.

“It felt like after we scored, a lot of the decisions went against us.

“It was huge to play that length of time with ten men and it's always going to be an uphill struggle.

“We started the game so well and as an away team, it’s the perfect thing that you want to happen.

“You’re away from home, you get back in the game and then you get a penalty and your opponents are down to ten men.

“The ref said to me that it was a harsh red card and was almost apologising but that it was the letter of the law, because it hit Samson’s hand in the box.

“I thought the boys’ response to going down to ten men was very good.

“I thought we showed a lot of character and we spoke about at half-time about trying to take our chances, because it might go down to the wire."

Gazette:

Colchester handed first league starts to two teenagers against Sutton.

Seventeen-year-old Tovide, along with 18-year-old midfielder Gene Kennedy, were both named in the U's starting line-up in League Two for the first time.

Mullins added: "Samson is really down - he's only a young kid.

"I thought he started the game really well.

"He looked really lively and he was winning his challenges and putting himself around - he didn't look like a 17-year-old, out there.

"He had a chance to score and he really contributed to the game while he was out there.

"Gene (Kennedy) was also really good.

"It was his first start and for the team to go down to ten men after 28 minutes or so was tough for him.

"He did really well and he has to be proud of his debut."

Colchester will now have to pick themselves up quickly ahead of a vital home clash with fellow strugglers Scunthorpe United, on Saturday.