CLIVE Platt's first goal of 2008 was not enough to extend Colchester United's unbeaten run at the hands of promotion-chasing Bristol City.Platt's 50th minute opener was wiped out by two quickfire goals from Dele Adebola and Michael McIndoe as City chalked up a 2-1 win.

Carl Marston

CLIVE Platt's first goal of 2008 was not enough to extend Colchester United's unbeaten run at the hands of promotion-chasing Bristol City.

Platt's 50th minute opener was wiped out by two quickfire goals from Dele Adebola and Michael McIndoe as City chalked up a 2-1 win. It was United's first defeat in five games, leaving them stuck in the Championship's relegation zone.

“We thought we were on the right tracks. We had done well in our previous three or four games and we were doing everything right for the first 50 minutes,” insisted Platt.

“That's what makes it so deflating. We had a bad 10 minutes after we scored, because we suddenly stopped doing the things that we had been doing. In the end we didn't deserve to win.

“I had a good feeling that we were the better team. We pressurised them and created all the chances, but as soon as we went ahead, our mentality changed. We reverted to doing the bad things that have cost us this season.

“We lost a couple of players to injury (John White and Chris Coyne), but they are no excuses for that performance,” added Platt.

The U's striker has now scored eight goals for the season, although Saturday's close-range effort was his first goal in nine appearances.

Platt added: “Their keeper (Adriano Basso) found Kevin McLeod's shot too hot to handle. The ball fell to me, and I just put it in the net. But from that moment on, we stopped playing.

“The momentum shifted from us to them. We lost the ball in bad areas and we lost concentration.”

The U's have slipped back to second-from-bottom, and are now three points adrift of safety. There are just 13 games remaining.

Bristol City boss Gary Johnson admitted that it had taken Platt's opening goal to produce a reaction from his players.

“In the second-half it took a punch on the nose, be it the goal, for us to suddenly get into their box and create opportunities,” said Johnson.

“With all due respect to Colchester, they do let in goals. We weren't giving them the opportunity to make mistakes in the first-half, and I wasn't too happy at half-time. Although our second goal took a deflection, to get that sort of goal you have to take a chance. I thought we just about deserved the win,”