TOM Eastman’s first job is to defend, but he also wants to help out his goal-dry attackers.

The Colchester United defender bagged the first three league goals of his career, during the last month of last season.

And Eastman was close to scoring his fourth career goal at Brentford on Saturday, only for his header, from Anthony Wordsworth’s free-kick, to drift wide of the far post, towards the end of the first half.

Ironically, that would have been only the U’s fourth goal of the season – they have only mustered three goals in six matches to date, and Farid El Alagui made matters worse by netting an 88th minute winner for the Bees in a 1-0 success.

“I was disappointed that my header did not go in,” admitted Eastman.

“I should have hit the target at least.

“I’m sure I’ll have other chances this season, because I want to get a few goals, as well as keeping them out.”

Eastman also admitted that the U’s should have prevented Brentford’s winning goal.

“The cross (from Harry Forrester) came over a bit too easy for the goal,” explained Eastman.

“And the goalscorer (El Alagui) was unmarked.

“We have to be tighter on that, for the whole game.”

The U’s, who are third-from-bottom, entertain Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.