COLCHESTER United boss John McGreal admits losing 3-2 at home to promotion rivals Mansfield Town this afternoon was tough to take.

But the U's head coach took comfort from his side's performance for much of their game against the Stags, despite seeing his side surrender a two-goal lead to lose.

First-half goals from Tom Eastman and Courtney Senior put Colchester in full command at the break.

But strikes after half-time from Nicky Ajose, Tyler Walker and CJ Hamilton completed Mansfield's comeback, leaving Colchester beaten.

McGreal said: “It’s really sore at the minute.

“We got a great start and went in at half-time 2-0.

“Sammie Szmodics had a good opportunity to make it 3-0 and then the whole area died a little bit and went really quiet.

“That was a bit of a turning point; they got their first goal from a sloppy bit of play from us and then you just sensed that the wind had changed.

“Once they started moving the ball around and bringing players off the bench, it was difficult.

“For 50 minutes, we were very, very good.

“But the result shows 3-2 and we have to give Mansfield unbelievable credit for how they’ve changed things and personnel to get the win, in the end.

“I thought some of our attacking play was brilliant and we didn’t quite get the win but I thought for the first 50 minutes, we more than matched them.

“At 2-0, we should have got something from the game but I have to give Mansfield the credit for coming back in the last half hour and turning the game."

The defeat leaves Colchester sixth in League Two, five points off the top three.

"We're trying to bridge these gaps with these big boys in our league and we're nearly there," said McGreal.

"We're nearly doing it every week and the boys are putting in a hell of a shift.

"It's tough to compete against these big boys but we've done it on a regular basis and we've done it over 50 minutes today where they've had to adapt and change their shape, because they couldn't live with us.

"But credit to Mansfield, because they changed their shape and personnel and I thought Jorge Grant made a difference for them - I thought he was terrific for them."

McGreal admitted the nature of the goals his side conceded were disappointing.

He added: "We've just looked at the goals quickly and we haven't really shipped goals like that.

"They were poor goals to give away really.