PAT Baldwin scored only the second goal of his long Colchester United career on Tuesday night.

But he admits that it will probably have no bearing on his quest to break into the U’s starting XI on a regular basis.

Baldwin headed home from close range in the U’s 3-1 defeat to League Two visitors Barnet, in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round tie.

Yet the much-changed team served up a sub-standard performance, almost certainly persuading manager John Ward to revert to the same side that had thrashed Oldham 4-1 last weekend for Saturday’s visit to Scunthorpe.

Baldwin is yet to make an appearance in League One this season, and he might have to bide his time a little longer.

“It was a below-par performance from the team, so it will be hard for me to be judged on that game,” rued Baldwin, with reference to the defeat at the hands of the Bees.

“We conceded three goals so it doesn’t look as though I have done my job. It’s disappointing, but I’ll just carry on working hard, and see where that takes me.”

Centre-half Baldwin, a former Chelsea trainee, signed for the U’s in 2002.

The 28-year-old has since rattled up 247 first team appearances for the Essex club. But before Tuesday night, his only goal in a U’s shirt had been in a 3-0 win over Southend United in November, 2006. The Londoner also scored once during a loan spell at Southend last year.

“Scoring this goal (against Barnet) doesn’t mean a thing. I’d rather have won the game and not scored,” added Baldwin.

“We were not good enough on the night, so we have to move on to Saturday.”