John Coleman says his Stanley side must take their 1-0 defeat against Colchester “on the chin”.

Luton loanee Joe Taylor got the decisive goal just before the hour mark, firing home from a tight angle after his initial effort was saved by Jon McCracken.

The Reds had had more than 30 shots on goal but couldn’t find a way past Owen Goodman, who made good stops to deny Shaun Whalley, Joe Pritchard, Tommy Leigh and Josh Andrews.

“We didn’t start well and in the first 15 minutes they could have scored two goals,” said Coleman. “We then had a procession of missed chances.

“Players don’t miss chances on purpose and, when you miss a few, you snatch at a few more as you are getting anxious and that’s what happened today.

“Sometimes you just have to take it on the chin. It was the most threatening we have looked all season against an opposition who have been in turmoil themselves, but you have days like this. They will come when you are not expecting them.

“We’ve been on a great run but it hasn’t been ended by a bad performance. It’s been ended by one of those days when you can’t put the ball in the net.

“The time to worry is when you are not creating chances. The lads gave their all and are devastated as they know it’s a missed opportunity to cement ourselves in the play-offs.”