COLCHESTER United boss John Ward was frustrated by his side’s lack of quality as an attacking force, during yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at MK Dons.

The Dons had plundered five goals in their 5-1 win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in November, but they were made to fight all the way on their own turf to secure a league double.

The U’s frustrated them with a gritty display, but their failure to show any attacking flair cost them a chance of stealing a point.

“We’ve limited MK Dons to just an own goal (Magnus Okuonghae) from a corner, which is a strange one to concede,” explained Ward.

“I’m just disappointed with the play in front of our team.

“We got in there enough times to have done better with the quality, because we have been good at that all season. We’ve been creating chances.

“But today we didn’t hurt MK Dons enough.

“We either over-passed, over-played or over-hit, and that’s my one disappointment.

“However, we’ve showed that we are not a bad side.

“We were competitive and we gave them a good game.”

Ward was more than satisfied with the performance of 20-year-old Tom Eastman, who started only his third game in a U’s shirt due to Matt Heath’s absence with a groin injury.

Ex-Ipswich Town defender Eastman, who had endured a tough baptism of fire in his two previous starts – a 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday and a 5-1 home defeat by MK Dons – looked solid at centre-half.

Ward confirmed: “Tom (Eastman) is learning and picking things up all the time.

“That’s the way we’re going at this football club. The youngsters will have to come through and be strong in these sort of games.

“Tom is a good player and we think he is going to get better.”

Eastman was also happy with his own performance.

“It was a good battle. They didn’t have too many clear chances, and it’s just a shame that we conceded from a corner,” explained Eastman.

“The whole team put in a good 90 minutes, and I myself felt good. I thought I did quite well. I just have to make sure I take these chances, when they come my way.”