COLCHESTER United manager John Ward will step up his search for a loan striker after admitting he will not appeal David Mooney’s red card against Southampton.

The U’s boss had already set about searching for forward reinforcements prior to Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat after Icelandic international Matthias Vilhjalmsson asked that his loan spell be terminated due to a lack of first team opportunities.

Mooney is now facing an immediate three-match suspension following his controversial dismissal for ‘violent conduct’ – missing tomorrow’s game at Dagenham & Redbridge followed by matches against closely-placed MK Dons (h) and struggling Tranmere (a) – with Ward saying after the game that there would be ‘no point’ appealing.

It leaves the U’s boss with just two recognised strikers – Kayode Odejayi and the injury-prone Steven Gillespie – although midfielders Andy Bond and Ian Henderson have both played up front at stages this season.

“I was turned down on a couple of requests for a loan forward late last week and I’ll keep trying to do that if I can,” confirmed Ward.

“Robbie Cowling (chairman) is quite happy that if we can improve the group he’ll back me, but if I can’t make it better we won’t get players for the sake of it.

“We’ve still got people like Gillespie, Ashley Vincent and Andy Bond so we’re not too bad.”

Meanwhile, Southampton skipper Dean Hammond was left delighted after scoring against his former club.

The 27-year-old transferred from the U’s to St Mary’s early in the 2009/10 season, but this was his first victory over his former employers in four attempts.

“It’s always nice to score – but it’s always that little bit nicer against your old team,” said Hammond.

“We said at half-time if we could get the next goal then the game would be pretty much over.

“It was a nice time to score, the ball just fell to me and I had a good connection.”

He added: “It’s a great three points for us, it was difficult.

“They started very well, but you expect that. They’re a decent team.

“We weathered the storm, obviously got a goal at a good time, then there was the sending-off and I think we pretty much controlled it from there.”

– Who would you like to see brought in on loan to Colchester? E-mail: sport@eadt.co.uk, or leave a comment below.

– Full match preview of Dagenham & Redbridge v Colchester in tomorrow’s EADT.