COLCHESTER United manager Aidy Boothroyd conceded his side didn’t do enough to beat lowly Tranmere Rovers this afternoon.

An uninspiring 1-1 draw at the Weston Homes Community Stadium means it is now mathematically impossible for the U’s to finish in a play-off place.

And after witnessing his side once again let go of a lead - Ian Thomas-Moore quickly cancelling out Anthony Wordsworth’s fourth minute opener - Boothroyd admitted his team deserved what they got.

He said: “There’s no getting away from it, we got what we deserved today. We didn’t put enough balls into the box and, having got ahead, we got scored on straight away.”

Colchester have now slipped to eighth in the table following Southampton’s 3-2 win over Carlisle.

Gallingly, the Essex side now have to travel to sixth-place Huddersfield next week knowing it is now impossible to catch the Yorkshire side. Worryingly, The Terrriers were 6-0 winners at Stockport County today.

“Now we start planning for next season,” said Boothroyd.

“We’ll make some changes, build on what we’ve already got and get in a good pre-season.

“It’s also important we put in some good performances at Huddersfield and against Leyton Orient here so that the fans come back for next season.”

Meanwhile, 21st place Tranmere Rovers - who have the second worst away record in the division - remain two points adrift of League One safety.

- Full match report and reaction in Monday’s EADT.