Colchester United boss Ben Garner on Forest Green defeat

The U’s were put to the sword at The New Lawn, after the hosts took full advantage of playing against ten men following Jay Mingi’s dismissal for two bookable offences, early in the second half.

Colchester simply capitulated after conceding four times in the final half hour of the match to slump to a third successive defeat, a result that leaves them third from bottom in League Two and only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

READ MORE: Match report as U's are thrashed at Forest Green Rovers

Forest Green had been bottom of the table prior to the match, having lost six league games in a row.

Garner said: “It’s a lack of professionalism and that’s what’s cost us, as a group.

“We actually started the second half really well and had two early corners.

“But then 60 seconds later, there was the sending off.

“My last words at half-time to the two players who were on yellow cards were ‘be really sensible and don’t do anything reckless’ and then three or four minutes into the second half, we’re down to ten men and gave ourselves a mountain to climb.

“For ten minutes after that, I thought we were really good and better 10v11.

“But from then on when we conceded goals and with bad mistakes, there’s a lack of leadership and a lack of character, in that second-half performance which unfortunately, I’m saying too often and I don’t want to be saying.

“There’s no hiding place here; I’m certainly not hiding and I’m not making excuses.

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“We have to take it full on the chin and show that we’ve got the work ethic and character to come through this, because it’s only two weeks ago we’re beating Notts County 5-4 and everyone is telling us what a good side we are.

“We’ve had a difficult couple of games but we have to turn it around and get back on track to where we have been previously.”

Colchester had fallen behind in the 41st minute, to Callum Morton’s strike.

And after Mingi had been red carded early in the second half, goals from Kyle McAllister, Matty Taylor and Matty Stevens’ brace sealed the hosts’ emphatic win.

“I didn’t think there was anything in the first half at all – I think we probably edged it and had the better opportunities up until their goal,” said Garner.

“Forest Green were a bit nervy at home and we weren’t as confident and fluid as we know we can be on the back of last week but I thought we edged it.

“But then we made two poor mistakes that cost us a goal and then going down to ten men very early in the second half and then the afternoon slipped away from us.

“It was disappointing for sure, lots to put right and the only way to do that is to get back to work.

“We’ve got to put our chests out, we’ve got to stand up and we’ve got to work through this period.”

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Colchester’s defeat at Forest Green followed hot on the heels of their 3-1 home defeat against Morecambe last weekend, where they were out-played by ten men for much of the game.

Garner added: “It counts for nothing but the players have worked great all week.

“That’s two weeks in a row where we’ve gone into a game where the players have been diligent all week but haven’t done it.

“That doesn’t work for anybody; it certainly doesn’t for me.

“It puts me in jeopardy, it puts the staff in jeopardy and it certainly doesn’t help the players, because they’re damaging their careers.

“So we’ve got to make sure that we’re back on track this week, we’re unified as a group and we’re doing what we set out to do.

“If we do that, then we’re going to give ourselves a chance.

“If not and players aren’t going to take information on and do their role within a structure, then we’re in a tough place.”