SIMON Hackney is not fazed by Colchester United's exit from the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, even though it meant another home defeat.

Carl Marston

SIMON Hackney is not fazed by Colchester United's exit from the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, even though it meant another home defeat.

The U's have struggled to make an impact at their new Weston Homes Community Stadium, since their switch from Layer Road last summer.

Just seven wins from 25 league and cup games makes for depressing reading, the latest being a 2-1 reverse at the hands of former manager Geraint Williams' Leyton Orient.

Ironically, there have been no such problems away from home, as last Saturday's memorable 7-1 win at Norwich City strongly emphasised. In fact, since last summer they have won 16 of their 30 away fixtures.

Hackney admitted: “There are so many ups-and-downs in football.

“It was not a good result (against Leyton Orient), and I don't think that we worked as hard as we did at Norwich.

“But I firmly believe that we have a very strong squad here, and that we will bounce back. We all know that we have got to better, and we will.”

Left winger Hackney was the main bright spark for the U's on Tuesday night, and his efforts were rewarded with a consolation goal from a free-kick deep into stoppage time.

However, his first goal of the season did not really cheer up the ex-Carlisle man, even though he was also the deserved man-of-the-match.

“My goal did not help the team, so it doesn't count for much. It was irrelevant,” insisted Hackney.

“It was good to score from a free-kick, but the whole match was such a contrast to Norwich on Saturday.

“The lads stayed in the dressing room for a long time after the final whistle. It was just not a good evening.

“We conceded very early on, which was a negative start to the game, and it carried on in that way. We must learn from this lesson.

“We know that we have to start better in the next game, and I suppose that at least we can just concentrate on the league now,” added Hackney, with reference to today's home game against Yeovil.

Hackney's well placed free-kick was his first goal in a U's shirt, following his transfer from Carlisle United last January. It was his 18th senior appearance for the club.

The 25-year-old, who was plucked out of non-league (at Woodley Sports) by Carlisle in 2005, has enjoyed a good start to the season.

Hackney gave Norwich right-back Jon Ostemobor a torrid time during last weekend's rout in Norfolk, in addition to delivering the cross for Clive Platt to fire home the third goal.

And he was behind the best of United's attacking moves against Orient, setting up Kevin Lisbie with a couple of chances and also testing O's keeper Glenn Morris with a swirling cross-cum-shot.

He will now be looking for a repeat performance against Yeovil.