Defending Let Us Down: Williams

Colchester United manager Geraint Williams believes 'poor defending once again let us down' following the U's final day six-goal thriller with Scunthorpe.

A brace from Kevin McLeod and a goal from Scott Vernon earned the U's a 3-3 away draw at Glanford Park.

Post-match Williams said: 'After two seasons in the Championship it really hurts to be going down. But this game just about summed up our season.

'We scored three great goals and always looked dangerous going forward but after getting 3-1 in front, some poor defending once again let us down.

'We didn't want to be relegated with a whimper and I think we showed that today.

Williams now thinks a instant return is the U's aim for next season: 'Swansea and Nottingham Forest have both gone up this season playing good football and that is something that should give us confidence.'

Meanwhile, Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins said: 'This has been a terrific season for us and we have given it our best shot.

'My players have shown commitment right the way through the campaign and they did it again when we were trailing 3-1 to Colchester.

'At the end of the day, we have come up just a little bit short of surviving at this level.

'But we won the League One title two seasons ago and promotion has got to be our aim as we look forward to next season.

'Like Colchester, we are a small club with small resources but there is no shortage of ambition to bounce straight back.'