Colchester United captain Chris Porter admits they deserved nothing from their game at Accrington Stanley after producing a lacklustre display.

The U’s tumbled to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the Wham Stadium against a struggling Stanley side who were forced to play for more than half the game with only ten men, following defender Omar Beckles’ first-half red card.

Goals from Billy Kee and Matty Pearson put Accrington in charge, before half-time.

Although striker Porter came off the bench to score from the spot with 14 minutes remaining, it proved only a consolation for a below-par Colchester.

Porter told the Daily Gazette: “I thought we were poor until we scored, considering they were down to ten men.

"It was just one of those days when we didn’t show up.

“I don’t think we deserved a point – we did have chances and we could have nicked a draw but I don’t think it would have been merited had we got it.

“Saying that, there have been plenty of times when we should have won this season when teams have nicked a point against us so maybe we were due one.

“But not enough players showed up - when one or two don’t show up, then sometimes the rest can pull the others through.

“But nine, ten even 11 players didn’t show up and when that happens, you’re going to lose the game.

“I don’t think there’s been many performances like that this season and I feel for the fans to be honest, making that long journey and us putting in our performance like that.

“Hopefully, it won’t happen again this season and it’s massively important that we bounce back against Wycombe tomorrow night.”

Porter was back in action at Accrington for the first time in a fortnight after being sidelined with a hip problem.

The 33-year-old netted his tenth goal of the season after coming on as a first-half replacement for Denny Johnstone, who was stretchered off with a knee injury.

Porter added: “I’m glad to get back. I’ve not really trained since the Blackpool game so it was a bit early for me in hindsight.

“But Denny had to go off and I was called on so I obviously had to go on and hopefully, those minutes have made me sharper and better for the next game.”