COLCHESTER United boss Joe Dunne believed that his side should have wrapped up victory, at Portsmouth yesterday, by half-time.

But in the end, the U’s were hanging on grimly to record a narrow 3-2 win, thanks to an early brace from Gavin Massey, which sandwiched a 15th minute penalty by Freddie Sears.

Dunne admitted: “I thought we should have been out of sight at half-time.

“We could have been 6-1 up, that would have been no exaggeration. I felt that we had good chances but we were just not able to finish them off.

“But with Portsmouth’s wonderful crowd they have got here, and excellent support, that galvanised them in the second half.

“So I have to pay Portsmouth credit. But I thought we were very resolute in defence,” added Dunne.

The U’s are now three points clear of the drop zone. They entertain Swindon Town on Tuesday evening.