HAYDEN Mullins admits his Colchester United side must be more clinical in front of goal if they are to move away from the League Two relegation zone.

The U's tumbled to a third successive league defeat when they were beaten 2-0 at leaders Forest Green Rovers, on Tuesday night.

Colchester created plenty of chances and were denied on several occasions by home goalkeeper, Luke McGee.

However, goals from Jamille Matt and Josh Marsh condemned them to defeat, at the Fully Charged New Lawn.

Colchester remain three points above the relegation zone, after the defeat.

Mullins said: "We have to be ruthless in front of goal and take one of these chances and give us a foothold in games.

"But we got the reaction from the players that we wanted and there was some really good play, at times.

"We moved the ball really well and created the chances but we have to start taking them.

"We're getting punished at the moment and that's the way it is.

"They were two lapse moments from us - one in a wide area where we switched off and didn't go with the runner and then the slip right at the end.

"They're a good side - they run hard, they compete well, they're a good unit and they're strong in what they are doing.

"We played a team at the top of the league and really forced them back at times at their home where they are really strong was good.

Gazette:

"It was a moment of sloppiness for us to concede the first goal.

"We switched off in that wide area and they got in behind us and what's not going for us at the moment is the deflected goal.

"For us to concede that early and then to play the way we did was pleasing, as a head coach.

"We created some really good chances in some really good areas.

"I thought the one from Luke Hannant right at the end was going to go in for us but it didn't and then we make a slip at the other end and it ends 2-0.

"We gave a goal away when we were chasing the game.

"It's a mistake and a slip from a player and we don't blame him."

Colchester handed a debut to new signing Corie Andrews (pictured below) at Forest Green.

The on-loan AFC Wimbledon striker looked lively and was denied by home goalkeeper McGee, in the second half.

Gazette:

"Corie looked bright up top and he helped at times, in terms of getting us up the pitch," said Mullins.

"I think we need to keep feeding him and playing in the right areas.

"Corie's a strong boy.

"He's different to Freddie, in terms of Freddie's movement is really clever and he wants to get in behind defenders.

"Freddie's more like a fly buzzing around you but Corie is a bit stronger and more powerful and straight line running.

"The two of them if they are put together will hopefully work well and cause defences problems."

Colchester are set to play their first home league game since November 26 this weekend when they host Barrow, in a crucial fixture.

The U's game at Forest Green was their fifth successive away match, in all competitions.

Mullins added: "The one thing I'd say to the boys to stay positive with is we should have a run of home games, coming up.

"We do a lot of travelling on the road and the home games will be good, as we haven't played there since November."