Ben Stevenson admits that Colchester United, for all their possession, have been lacking a killer touch in the final third of the pitch in recent weeks.

Talented midfielder Stevenson, recruited on loan from his new club Wolves on transfer deadline day at the end of January, summed up the frustrations in the U’s camp after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Lincoln, which finally killed off their lingering play-off hopes.

“We had most of the possession, but we have not been able to finish things off in the opposition box,” rued Stevenson.

“We are close to matching these teams at the top. We beat Luton and were the better team against Accrington, losing narrowly (0-1), and in the first half against Notts County (1-3 loss).

“We have just been unable to get over the line to get the results. That’s where we have been lacking. But we are a young team who are playing football in the right way.

“I think that I’m progressing as a player, and this has been an ideal move for me, playing in a team that tries to get the ball down and play possession football.

“It suits me, so I have been really happy and enjoyed my time here so far.

- Carl Marston’s Talking Points

“Wolves have been promoted to the Premier League, and I’d like to be involved there, going back to the club for next season.

“But I’m still here at Colchester for the moment and I want to finish here on a high,” added Stevenson.

Ex-Coventry City 21-year-old Stevenson was full of praise for team-mate Courtney Senior, who was unleashed off the bench on 57 minutes to net the equaliser just three minutes later.

“We didn’t let their goal (Elliott Whitehouse’s 55th minute penalty) affect us, because we still had plenty of time left,” said Stevenson.

“Courtney came on and did really well to get the goal, and we thought we would then go on to win the game, but it wasn’t to be.

“He’s a good finisher, he’s very composed, and he gives us something different. It was a good goal.”

Referring to Lincoln’s winner, netted by Luke Waterfall in the last minute of injury time, Stevenson said: “It was cleared out initially, and then the ball has come in the box again.

“I don’t think he meant it to go where it went. There were a lot of bodies in the box, it was a good header to be fair, but I think we have got to be stronger at defending it.”