Aidy Boothroyd admitted a sluggish start cost his Colchester United side dearly last night.

The U’s were beaten 1-0 at Brentford at Griffin Park to lose for the first time in six matches and drop to fourth place in the Coca-Cola League One.

Charlie MacDonald headed in the Bees’ winner after only 15 minutes to inflict a rare defeat on Colchester and leave manager Boothroyd disappointed.

Boothroyd said: “We didn’t play very well for an hour.

“We have got into a position in the league where we have earned the right for teams to up their game against us.

“They were running around like they had won the World Cup at the end.

“But the best players are the ones who rise to it.

“We should have started better and they were at it tonight – it was a poor goal for us to concede.

“We didn’t press the ball enough in the first half.

“They were running behind us and we can’t expect to do that and not concede.

“We had chances but we have to hold our hands up and say well done Brentford.”

Colchester’s defeat at Brentford was only their second since Boothroyd’s appointment in September.

It is also the first time they have failed to find the net since his opening game at charge, the goal-less draw at Southampton.

“We’ve got to a stage now where we don’t expect to lose,” added the U’s boss.

“We’re disappointed because I want to win every game we play and so do the players.

“I don’t expect us to be brilliant in every game but we have to be more consistent, because that’s what the best teams are.”

Boothroyd urged his Colchester side to get back to winning ways immediately, following the disappointment of last night’s defeat.

He added: “We have to make sure that we don't make this kind of thing a habit.

“Now we have to make sure that we get something out of Saturday’s game (against Bristol Rovers).”