Colchester United manager Tony Humes has admitted that he was shocked with the way his team “buckled” during Tuesday night’s 3-2 home defeat to Crewe.

The U’s boss could hardly believe that his side kissed goodbye to a comfortable 2-0 lead, with just 30 minutes to go.

Now he has to pick up his shell-shocked players for this weekend’s trip to Burton Albion.

“I’m surprised how the players buckled,” admitted Humes.

“They should be confident, at 2-0 up.

“I don’t know what happened. They should be on the front foot and they should be managing the game, but then I suppose you have a lot of young players out there.

“When things get tough, they went into their shell.

“They are in the profession to improve, and they have to take everything that comes with it.

“It should make them stronger.

“We’ve got to lift the players, to prepare for Burton.

“Tonight (Tuesday) will be tough for the players, and it will be tough to pick them up, but that’s what we’ve got to do.

“We’re striving every day to get back to where we were (in September). The players have to be braver and there wasn’t enough bravery out there.

“We had words with the players, but they know what went on tonight and they have to take responsibility for what happened,” added Humes.