Tony Humes admitted his Colchester United side fell back into old habits in losing 4-2 at Preston North End, at Deepdale.
The U's took the lead through Rhys Healey but two goals in four minutes from Scott Wiseman and Alan Browne put Preston 2-1 up.
Alex Gilbey scored with a stunning strike to make it 2-2 before half-time but North End hit back with goals from Paul Gallagher and Chris Humphrey, to claim victory in an entertaining clash.
After keeping four clean sheets in their last five games, boss Humes was disappointed with the manner of his side's defending against Preston.
He said: “I’ve just said to the players, it was a case of going back to where we were earlier in the season and we went away from what had given us success, over the last five games.
“There were individual mistakes in there and we didn’t close the game out defensively enough.
“We played every so well with the ball and come to Preston and believed in the way we played the game and created a lot of chances.
“But unfortunately, we haven’t been good enough defensively.
“I think three out of the four goals that we conceded were avoidable."
For five pages of coverage of the U's game with Preston, see Monday's Daily Gazette.
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