COLCHESTER 3

CROSTYX 4

East Men's League division two south

COLCHESTER captain Dean Campbell admitted conceding a late goal to lose against Crostyx was like a "kick in the teeth".

The Garrison-based side recovered a three-goal deficit in the second half, only to lose to a last-gasp winner for the visitors.

Campbell said: "Losing the game like that was a kick in the teeth, especially considering that we were pushing for a winner ourselves at that point.

"It was pretty quiet post match and everyone was obviously very disappointed.

"We were pretty frustrated at the end and Crostyx were a team that we should have beaten.

"We controlled most of the game but things seemed to conspire against us.

"But the pleasing thing was that after being 3-0 down in the second half, we showed lots of passion, determination and commitment to get back into the game.

"We could quite easily have scored a winner and had we done that, I think it would probably have been deserved."

Colchester controlled the first half but went in goal-less at half-time.

And although Crostyx also had their opportunities, the hosts were in a good position at the break.

The intensity of the game increased in the second half, with Crostyx picking up cards for ill-discipline.

Colchester were hoping that the visitors would self-destruct after that but Crostyx then scored against the run of play.

And things got worse for the hosts when Calum Totton was yellow-carded, during which time the visitors scored two goals.

Colchester's woes were compounded further when Stephen Nunn received a green card for a late challenge.

And a mistake by Colchester's debutant keeper Simon Pearson-Burton allowed Crostyx to take a three-goal lead.

Colchester looked down and out at that point but they kept battling and player of the match Ben Parker pulled a goal back, firing into the right-hand corner from the top of the circle.

Tim Wright then made it 3-2 from the top of the circle from Parker's pass.

And Wright then levelled when he inadvertently deflected Parker's strike into the goal, with six minutes remaining.

Colchester went in search of a winner after that but the visitors broke from a turnover and scored a late goal, to leave the hosts heartbroken.

Colchester men's second team made it four wins from four games with a 4-1 win at Braintree II, in division five.

But Colchester III lost 2-1 to East London V in the same division while in division eight, the fourth team lost 2-1 at Braintree Academy.