Tony Humes admits Colchester United need to be more clinical in front of goal after they were beaten 2-1 at home by fellow strugglers Gillingham.

First-half goals from Joe Martin and Bradley Duck put Gillingham in command before half-time.

And although substitute Sammie Szmodics pulled a goal back for the U's early in the second half, it was not enough to prevent them from falling to a fourth successive home defeat in League One.

The U's remain two points from safety in the table, ahead of another vital game at relegation-threatened Crawley Town on Sunday.

Gavin Massey twice went close in the first half and Szmodics and Freddie Sears both had efforts ruled out for offside in the second half but Colchester were unable to muster an equaliser, in front of their biggest home crowd of the season.

U's boss Humes said: "We have to remain positive and take the good things out of the game.

"We have to keep them at it and make sure they don't get too down, because as soon as that happens, you're on a losing battle before they even go out on the pitch.

"Hopefully, we'll be a little bit more ruthless and clinical in front of goal.

“I thought we did more than enough to win it but you can’t say that when the scoreline says 2-1.

"Had Gavin (Massey) scored early on and not hit the bar, it could have been different.

"But Gavin has done an awful lot of good out there, so we can't single him out.

"We got caught out by two sloppy bits of defending and it's difficult - experienced players will take their chances.

“I can’t criticise the players for their attitude and how they tried to get back into the game.

“We played well and created a lot of opportunities so we can’t be critical of the team performance, apart from conceding the two goals in the first half.

“Gavin (Massey) had two efforts in the first half and with a little bit more composure, he would have scored but we have to stay positive."

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