COLCHESTER United boss Aidy Boothroyd says his side did not deserve to lose to a dramatic stoppage time goal in a 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield.

It was a seventh straight away defeat for the U’s, but they can count themselves unfortunate to have lost this one after Lee Novak headed home with the last touch of the game in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The Yorkshire side had led at the break courtesy of Theo Robinson’s 17th minute penalty, but Colchester – who played some decent football in a new look 4-5-1 formation – deservedly levelled through Simon Hackney after 76 minutes.

Play-off confirmed side Huddersfield had rarely threatened Colchester throughout, but they sparked a pitch invasion at the death when substitute Novak headed home Gary Roberts’ free-kick.

“I thought we were by far the better team today,” rued Boothroyd.

“We were the better team by a long way. We had a game plan to counter-attack them and I thought it worked until the last moments.

“We conceded two really poor goals though. The first one was a penalty where Paul Reid says he’s been pushed and the second comes literally seconds from time when we should have cleared.

“This was a really hard team talk for me because I was all ready to tell them how good it was and be positive.

“I can honestly say I’m a lot less disappointed than I have been after other away games recently.”

For a full match report and reaction – including news on a U’s transfer target – see Monday’s EADT.