COLCHESTER United interim head coach Wayne Brown labelled some of his side's defending 'criminal' after they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Northampton Town this afternoon.

The Cobblers claimed victory at Sixfields, thanks to goals from Fraser Horsfall, Sam Hoskins and substitute Benny Ashley-Seal.

The defeat leaves Colchester three points above the League Two relegation zone.

Brown said: "I thought we were the better team in the first half on the front foot, with the amount of regains we had in those central areas.

"They changed their system because of it, half an hour into the game because we were on top.

"But the bottom line is as well as we imposed our game onto them, and we battled really hard and we came out on top in the first half, the game is won and lost in each box.

"There were two free headers from set plays, one that they score from and that's criminal.

"You cannot justify that in any league, at any level, in any country.

"You cannot justify giving teams free headers in your own box because ultimately, you find yourself 1-0 down in a game of football where there's nothing in it.

"We probably had more shots than them in the first half and I honestly think that we were on the front foot and imposed ourself on them.

"It's not all doom and gloom but we do have to be better in both boxes.

"We lacked confidence, penetration, ruthlessness, in their box.

"When you come out for the second half and you're 1-0 down at Northampton, you stay in the game.

"But we conceded a second really early in the second half and then it was a mountain to climb.

"The lads showed a great reaction and we still had the belief.

"Going forward, we made positive substitutions to try and get a goal, we've hit the post and the keeper has made a great save.

"Again, if you look at the balance of play it's probably in their half so I've got no real issues with the way that we approached the game and our enthusiasm to take the ball to them and winning your individual battles.

"But defensively, we were really poor."

Northampton's first goal scored by skipper Horsfall came from a corner, after the defender was allowed the freedom of the U's box to score.

"Any team is a threat from set pieces if you give them a free header," added Brown.

"It's not acceptable and that was made clear in there.

"Defensively, we were really poor today and the bottom line is that there were too many people off their game in the defensive third, not just the defenders.

"We also lacked penetration in the final third and yes, we've lost 3-0.

"Is there loads in the game? Probably not.

"Is it a 3-0 loss? On paper it is but probably not a reflection of play.

"Listen, there's going to be disappointments for the team, this season and it's now how we react and bounce back.

"We've got a real big game - and they're all big by the way - on Tuesday against Hartlepool and it's about now needing to get a reaction out of the lads and they need to give us a reaction."