Dunne: 'Losing By Three Is Harsh'

U's boss Joe Dunne has suggested that losing by a three-goal scoreline was harsh on his side today, as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat at high-flying Sheffield United.

It was always going to be an uphill task for the travelling U's after falling behind to a fourth-minute penalty, but the Irishman told BBC Essex after the game that he could have no complaints about the decision.

He reflected: 'It was a genuine attempt to play the ball; Josh [Thompson] is completely focused on the ball and makes a genuine lunge for it, but [Barry] Robson got there first.

'I have no complaints and I can see why he's given it, although would he have given it if it had happened in the other eighteen-yard box?

'It's not easy going 1-0 down from a penalty straight away and chasing the game after working all week, but we got back into it really well, got into good, attacking positions and I think 3-0 is harsh.'

The U's did show promising signs before the break with Freddie Sears finding himself presented with a number of half chances, but Dunne admits that for all of the U's territorial pressures, they struggled to make the home goalkeeper work hard.

'We lacked that little bit of quality and didn't quite reach the balls into the box,' he continued. 'Their goalkeeper hasn't had to make saves, but we've been in good positions.

'There is a lot to build on and we can't sit around feeling sorry for ourselves.'

The visit to Bramall Lane saw new loan signing Bradley Garmston handed his Football League debut, and Dunne affirmed his delight at capturing the West Bromwich Albion youngster on loan.

The Republic of Ireland U19s international looked assured at left-back as he filled in for the injured Brian Wilson, and Dunne was pleased with his performance.

He finished: 'Bradley was excellent on his debut having only been with us for one and a half training sessions; he has a bright future and we're glad that he's here.

'The young players learnt a lot today that things don't always go our way, but we've reached the end of our five game run having won three and lost two, so we'd have settled for that.

'We must build on that now with two home games, so we go again.'


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