IT was quite simply the “worst day” of his managerial career.

That’s how Colchester United boss Joe Dunne described the U’s 3-1 defeat at non-league Chelmsford City, in Saturday’s first round of the FA Cup, staged in front of a capacity crowd at Melbourne Park.

Dunne only took over the managerial reins, at the Community Stadium, just over five weeks ago, since when he has masterminded the U’s impressive climb up the League One ladder, from 23rd to 12th spot.

But after guiding the U’s to five wins from seven league games, the Dubliner was left to pick up the pieces of an FA Cup nightmare at non-league neighbours Chelmsford.

“Forget just my managerial career, this is probably the worst day of my footballing career,” insisted Dunne.

“It’s worse than Bedlington (4-1 defeat in 1998), because I am in charge now.

“We have desperately disappointed so many supporters that were here today. We are not in the second round of the Cup, and that’s what it is all about.

“You don’t get remembered for the chances you created. You get remembered for whether you won or not.

“And we will be remembered for getting beaten. It’s a test now for us, we have to recover, but we will.

“We will outlive this darkest day – we have done as a club previously – and we will do again.

“It’s a test for me in my young managerial career.

“But I am not making any excuses. Chelmsford deserved their big day,” added Dunne.