Colchester United boss Joe Dunne branded his side’s defending, from set pieces, as “unacceptable” following today’s 2-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers.

The U’s were caught out by two corners, as Ryan Lowe helped himself to a brace of goals. Clinton Morrison netted an injury-time consolation.

Poor marking allowed Lowe to head home the opener in the 32nd minute, at the far post from a corner routine, and more slack defending from another corner resulted in Brian Wilson committing a foul, and Lowe tucking away the ensuing penalty.

“I thought we deserved more than that,” insisted Dunne.

“I felt we controlled the game in the first half, and we had chances, which we needed to take.

“I’ll accept players missing chances when they get into positions, because generally the more you’ll then score, but what I think is crucial today is that we switched off for two set pieces.

“That is what has done us the game, and that is unacceptable!

“That’s unacceptable. People have their jobs, and they didn’t do them.

“We can’t afford that, and you can’t do that,” added an angry U’s boss.