Colchester United boss Tony Humes felt that his side could have been down and out before half-time, against Blackpool this afternoon.

In the end, equalisers from Alex Gilbey (22nd minute) and debutant Darren Ambrose (57th minute) cancelled out a brace from Blackpool striker Mark Cullen in a 2-2 draw.

“We should have won it in the end, on the balance of the second half,” insisted Humes.

“But we could have been out of it, before half-time.

“Blackpool had lots of chances in the first half. I thought we were far too expansive and far too open.

“We had worked on being more compact, during pre-season, but it just wasn’t right in that first half.

“We were lucky to be only 2-1 down at half-time, and it was a fantastic equaliser from Alex Gilbey, who I thought was fantastic for us all afternoon.

“But credit to the players, they were far better in the second half and in the end we could have got all three points.

“But it’s a positive start for us,” added Humes.