Colchester United boss, Tony Humes, was critical of his team’s below-par first-half performance in today’s 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Coventry City.

Coventry skipper Jim O’Brien conjured up the winner in the 36th minute, steering home a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The defeat leaves the U’s three points adrift of safety, going into the last five games of the season.

“It was a frustrating afternoon,” rued Humes.

“If we had started the game like we started the second half, then we would have been OK.

“But we’ve got to be more consistent. We’e got to start games better.

“We can’t just turn the tap on and off, because experienced players don’t give you that many chances.

“We just didn’t play in the first half.

“We didn’t pass the ball well enough, and that limited our opportunities,” added Humes.

The U’s return to action at promotion-chasing Chesterfield on Tuesday evening, and they will be hoping that keeper Sam Walker is passed fit – Walker picked up a knee injury during the closing minutes at the Ricoh Arena.