Colchester United boss John McGreal was disappointed but not too disheartened after his side’s nine-game unbeaten run came to an end at Exeter City on Saturday afternoon.

League Two’s two form teams met at St James Park but it was the Grecians who extended their unbeaten run to nine games, thanks to goals from Reuben Reid, David Wheeler and Liam McAlinden.

Reid opened the scoring on 20 minutes, following a bright start by the U’s and Exeter could have been further in front before the break, Troy Brown twice going close with headers.

However, it was different in the second half and only poor finishing, namely from Brennan Dickenson and Chris Porter stopped the U’s from grabbing an equaliser, before two late goals from the hosts gave the final scoreline a slightly flattering look.

“They (Exeter) have shown a bit of quality on the counter-attack as we have been going for the equaliser,” said McGreal.

“They have tucked their chances away but we had umpteen openings in their final third but didn’t create that much.

“It’s a sore one really, we have had the lion’s share of the play but it did not go right in both boxes for us.

He added: “We have switched the ball well and got into good areas, it was just the execution that was missing.

“We were pushing and probing to get something from the game and we got caught on the counter-attack. Do we sit back at that stage or look to get a goal? We always look at getting a goal.”

Colchester don’t now play for a fortnight, due the the FA Cup next week, and are next in action at Blackpool, on February 4.

“There’s a lot of food for thought, a lot of work to be done and we have a two-week break now whih is a bit disappointing,” explained McGreal.

“It’s possibly a good time to reflect though on where we have come in such a short space of time.”