COLCHESTER United stalwart Karl Duguid would like to have notched his first start of the season in happier circumstances.

Winger Duguid, making his 413th league appearance for the club, admitted that Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers was a “chalk and cheese” performance from the U’s.

United were unlucky to be 1-0 down at the break, but they capitulated during the second half with Rovers striker Jake Cassidy completing a hat-trick.

“It was not a great day for the club,” agreed Duguid.

“We were quite pleased with the first half, and we were a little bit disappointed that we were 1-0 down. We felt hard done by.

“We looked quite solid, and we created a few chances.

“At half-time, we just said – ‘keep what we are doing, and we will get back into the game’ – but the second half was chalk-and-cheese.

“We conceded early, which left us on the back foot and chasing the game, doing things you wouldn’t do if the game was 0-0.

“Tranmere looked comfortable, and every time we went forward they hit us on the break. They looked like scoring every time they went forward.

“We’re very disappointed with our second half performance, as a team and as a squad, because we know that we are better than that.

“You want a reaction when you go 2-0 down, but we didn’t do that. It’s down to us as players to bounce back, and kick on for the next game,” added Duguid, with reference to next Saturday’s trip to Brent