Colchester United boss, Tony Humes, admitted that defensive mistakes cost his side during this afternoon’s 2-1 defeat at Rochdale.

Goals from Rhys Bennett (six minutes) and former U’s front-runner Ian Henderson (55) had put Dale in the driving seat, before Chris Porter rifled home a 63rd minute penalty.

It was the U’s third defeat on the spin, leaving them just 11 games to save their season.

Results elsewhere largely went for the U’s, who remain just two points adrift of safety, but this was another opportunity gone begging.

“How many times have we said that it’s a decent performance, we’ve played well, but two defensive lapses have cost us,” admitted Humes.

“Those mistakes are catching up with us.

“It was a poor start. We didn’t seem to get going for the first 10 minutes, and I don’t know why that was the case.

“Their opening goal (Bennett) was a free header from the second phase of a set play, which was disappointing.

“But we had a few opportunities late in the first half, without the ball quite falling for us.

“We finished the first half well, but once again started the second half poorly and allowed Ian Henderson to score their second.

“Again, we didn’t deal with the ball in the air, and the ball shouldn’t have got through to Ian.

“It was an improved performance, but that’s three defeats in a row now,” added Humes.