Colchester United missed a chance to escape the relegation zone, when sliding to a 1-0 home defeat to MK Dons tonight.

This seventh defeat, in the U’s last eight home league games, was harsh on the relegation-haunted hosts, who more than matched their lofty visitors – the Dons are now up to second in the League One table.

But in the end, Tottenham loanee Dele Alli’s 44th minute goal, the result of some poor U’s defending, was enough to leave Tony Humes’ men wallowing in the bottom four.

“There was nothing in the game, from the very start,” rued Humes.

“MK Dons had a lot of possession, which you would expect, but without massively hurting us.

“I thought we showed them too much respect in the first half, but we got amongst them a bit more in the second half, without creating that much.

“We need more penetration in the top half of the pitch to get something out of games.”

Humes was particularly disappointed with the manner of MK Dons’ winning goal. Alli was left unmarked in the U’s box to convert the simplest of chances.

“Someone did not do their job and pick him (Alli) up. Someone shirked their responsibility,” said Humes.