Dunne Disappointed With Defeat

Joe Dunne insists that his side matched promotion-chasing Swindon Town this evening in a game that saw the U's eventually lose out by the odd-goal, thanks to James Collins' second half strike.

For much of the first half it was the home side who were creating most of the chances, with the goal just after the break deflating the U's and leaving them open through a need to take the game to Swindon.

However, there are many positives to be had from the overall performance according to Dunne in his BBC Essex post-match interview.

'When they got the goal we had to go for it, and the game became a lot more open,' he said. 'It was a scrappy game but we were well in it and we matched them; we had as many chances to score and forced corners so, overall, I'm disappointed not to get at least a draw.'

The decisive goal came within ten minutes of the second half beginning, and it was crucial in determining the eventual outcome of the game.

Had the U's scored that goal, there's every chance we would be talking of a third successive victory following on from the first half performance, but it wasn't to be.

Dunne recognises that the goal stunted the U's pressure, though.

He continued: 'The goal was against the run of play, and we switched off for a moment when we need everyone concentrating.

'Once they scored they made it very difficult for us and we couldn't break them down throwing all kinds of forwards on to go for it, but I think the players did well tonight.

'Jabo led the line well and we worked hard. But they're third; we're talking about a possible Championship team here so there's lots of positives and I'm pleased with the effort.'

Sam Walker put in a terrific second half performance to deny the Robins on a number of occasions, including a particularly impressive stop from Gary Roberts as the clock ticked down towards full-time.

Despite how busy Walker may have appeared, Dunne doesn't believe that to be a true reflection of how the game panned out.

'Sam's presence is massive and he's a big frame to get past,' he admitted. 'He made two or three excellent saves, so people may say they could have won by more but we had to go for it.

'I'd rather we lost 2-0 and went for it, but we've pushed a team going for automatic promotion all the way and we've won two from three, so we're ok.

'It is a good platform going into Saturday, so I'm pleased.'


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