NEIL Cox admitted conceding twice in the opening stages cost his Scunthorpe United side dearly following their 2-1 defeat at Colchester United.

Goals from Freddie Sears and Armando Dobra inside the opening 14 minutes put the U's two goals ahead, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

And despite Harry Davis's late goal, it was not enough to salvage a point for the division's bottom side.

Iron boss Cox said: “They had a free-kick that was deflected and went in and the other one was a cross that came in with his (Dobra’s) right foot that deflects and goes in.

“That’s what happens when you are bottom of the league and you have no luck.

“After that I thought we were the better team, especially in the second half.

“We came out with a purpose, with a drive, we pushed on and we were aggressive.

“We created a number of opportunities, we scored one and we just didn’t have enough time to get another.

“But it was a lot braver in the second half and the closing down was miles better, because the first half was a bit powder puff and we didn’t get near anybody.

“We get to the edge of the box a number of times and we waste our pass and that’s been our problem, at the moment.

"We don't keep the ball long enough, we don't keep it well enough to create opportunities - we keep giving it away in good areas where we could have put the ball into their box.

"We end up giving it away and going back to Manny (Onariase), Manny goes back to the goalkeeper and then we just kick it forward.

"To beat these today was through the thirds and in the second half, we did.

"We got into some really good areas with some good chances and I'm really disappointed, because we lost the game in the first 20 minutes.

"These could have been right back in with us both on 14 points and there's a lot to play for still."

Cox confirmed that he will have his Scunthorpe players back in for training today, as they bid to find some form to lift them off the bottom of the table.

"We've got a few knocks but I think it's more their egos," said the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender.

"We'll get them in (on Sunday) and have a look at the video and see how we started the game and go from there.

"There's no point in me ranting and raving at them now, because I'm feeling a little bit angry at the moment.

"Instead of me going off on one, we'll get them in and have a look at the game and do it in a relaxed manner instead of a falling out and shouting at people, because sometimes that doesn't work."