JOHN Coleman felt a mixture of emotions following Accrington Stanley's FA Cup exit at the hands of Colchester United last night.

The Reds chief was still ruing the missed chances from the first clash at the Interlink Express Stadium, which forced last night's replay.

But while Coleman was annoyed at missing out on a place in the fourth round and a trip to Coventry after a 2-1 defeat, he was proud of the way his players battled.

"They've played well and on another day our chances might have gone in," he said.

"I thought Lutel (James) should have had a penalty - we will see better on the video. But if it wasn't a penalty, why wasn't he booked for diving?

"Paul Mullin was terrific. He's been a thorn in their sides in both games and it's just a pity that the goal didn't come last week at our place. We made enough chances to at least have not lost the game and we made more chances than them but they are a good side and have scored two good goals.

"There's no point moaning because we have to pick ourselves up for Saturday."

Coleman is likely to look for reinforcements in his rearguard after Steve Halford was dismissed for the second game in succession.

And he has urged his players to treat Saturday's trip to Shrewsbury as importantly as they have done their FA Cup games.

"I've tried to hammer home to the lads that it's no good just raising your game for the FA Cup because you'll eventually go out of it. You've got to raise if for every game you play and make every game a cup final," he said.

"We've got to pick ourselves up and not sulk."

The central defender, who was sent off at Burton last weekend, was shown two yellow cards at Layer Road last night.

"Steve has got a hefty suspension and with him getting sent off on Saturday as well he'll probably be facing a three or four game ban because that's his third sending off of the season," Coleman said.

"It was just frustration. He feels aggrieved because he thought the lad was offside for the goal.

"But it was a great finish and I don't think many keepers will have stopped that.

"It's just a shame we had to play with 10 men for the last five miunutes."