Colchester United manager Joe Dunne felt his side deserved more from their 2-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers.

But the U's boss admitted they made a "mountain for themselves" after two goals originating from set-pieces handed the hosts a two-lead they were unable to reverse.

Ryan Lowe scored either side of half-time - once from the penalty spot - to put Tranmere in the driving seat at Prenton Park.

And although substitute Clinton Morrison grabbed a goal deep into stoppage-time, it was not enough for Colchester to salvage anything from the game.

Dunne said: “I thought that we deserved much more than that.

“I felt that we controlled the game in the first half and we had chances but we had to take them.

“I’ll accept players missing chances when they get into positions because generally you’ll score.

“But I won’t accept what I think was crucial and that was the fact that we switched off twice from set pieces and that’s what has lost the game.

“The penalty was absolutely unforgivable – for a corner to be taken that quickly and to get the wrong side of people.

“You’re just making a mountain for yourself.

“We threw bodies in front of things, we missed open goals and free headers and before they scored their first goal, we should have been 3-0 up and we were comfortable.

“Tranmere did create chances in the second half but it was 2-0 then and we were going for it and we opened up."

For a five pages of coverage of Colchester's game at Tranmere, see Monday's Daily Gazette.