Colchester United boss, Kevin Keen, admitted that the 16th minute sending-off of Joe Edwards was a key moment in today’s 3-0 home defeat to Burton Albion, which finally condemned the U’s to relegation into League Two.

U’s right-back Joe Edwards was shown a shock red card for his challenge on Brewers’ left-back Damien McCrory, by referee Mark Heywood.

And Burton responded by scoring three goals against the 10-man U’s, all of them netted by winger Lucas Akins.

“It’s my policy that I don’t give any bad reports about referees to the media,” explained Keen.

“I have my own personal word, and that’s how I try to keep things.

“I think it’s unfair to criticise officials in public, and I’m going to try and stick to that.

“I know it’s difficult, especially on a day like this today.

“But the significance of the decision is absolutely monumental.

“It was a very even game, with even teams, up until that point,

“To go a man down against a good team, a hard-working team, made it extremely difficult.

“I think the lad (Lucas) who scored the hat-trick is one of the best players I’ve seen this season.

“Burton took full advantage of being a man up, though the effort of our boys was magnificent,” added Keen.