COLCHESTER United manager John Ward described his side’s 1-0 defeat at Brentford as a “kick in the teeth.”

The U’s were denied what would have been a deserved point by Farid El Alagui’s close range header on 87 minutes.

It meant that Ward’s men have now collected just three points from a possible 15 in their first five League One games of the season, leaving them in the bottom four.

“We looked good for at least a point,” rued Ward.

“We both had chances to win, prior to their goal, but being away from home against a good side in Brentford, who have started the season strongly, we’ve created four or five one-on-ones and not scored one.

“That’s a problem for us at the moment, but the creation was decent.

“At the other end, Mark Cousins pulled off a couple of good saves when they have had similar opportunities.

“It’s a kick in the teeth to lose it at the end like that.

“I know we have to win games, but the minimum is to take a good point away from here.

“But we have taken nothing after a massive effort from everybody. We have all worked hard to get a result and put last week’s (4-0 defeat at Tranmere) to bed.

“But we have not been able to do it,” added Ward.