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.
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