COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert kept his team in the dressing room for 20 minutes after the final whistle, following a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Scunthorpe.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United boss Paul Lambert kept his team in the dressing room for 20 minutes after the final whistle, following a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Scunthorpe.

Lambert was unhappy with his side's second-half showing, which effectively ended all hopes of scraping into the play-offs.

“I thought we were decent in the first half, and could have been in front at half-time,” said Lambert.

“But the second-half performance was about as poor as I've seen since I've been at the club. It was disappointing for everyone, the players and the fans who come to watch us.

“We were trying to play offside for the first goal, though I don't know why. The second goal was poor and we got caught on the break for the third, when we gave their lad (Henri Lansbury) too much time and space.

“However, I also thought we should have had a stone-wall penalty (foul on Mark Yeates) when it was still only 1-0. I've seen that on the video and it was a definite penalty.

“In fact, I thought the referee was abysmal all afternoon. His decisions were poor for both teams,” added Lambert.

A brace from Gary Hooper and a third from Lansbury sealed the points for Scunthorpe. The U's afternoon was summed up by Johnnie Jackson's brief appearance as a substitute - he lasted just three minutes before injuring his hamstring.