Colchester United boss Kevin Keen was very upset with his team’s latest defeat, a 3-0 reverse at Scunthorpe United this afternoon, and also revealed that the bid for midfielder Alex Gilbey earlier in the week was a “joke offer.”

The U’s were sunk without a trace, early in the second half at Glanford Park, conceding three goals in an eight-minute spell.

Tom Hopper broke the deadlock on the hour mark, and Paddy Madden boosted his tally for the season to 16 goals by firing home in the 62nd and 68th minutes.

There was no way back for the sorry U’s, who have now taken just two points from their last 13 games, and a mere six points from a possible 54 in their last 18 fixtures.

Keen rued: “I was very disappointed with our performance in the second half.

“It was a familiar story for us. We played quite well in the first half, but did not take our chances and we were made to pay for it.

“Scunthorpe had more bite in the second half, and I was very disappointed with our display.

“We conceded the first, second and third goals so quickly. I thought I had eradicated that problem,” added Keen.

With reference to Bristol City’s bid (undisclosed) for his midfielder Gilbey, on Friday, Keen said: “You’ll have to speak to (chairman) Robbie (Cowling) about that, but it was a joke offer, as far as we are concerned.

“The bid was far, far under our value,” added Keen.