Gray rues wasted chances

Published: 01/12/2008

Northampton manager Stuart Gray felt his side threw away the points as Colchester maintained their mini revival with a 2-1 success at Sixfields.

First-half goals from Clive Platt and Paul Reid, against his former club, put Colchester in charge and, despite Danny Jackman reducing the arrears in the second half, Cobblers were unable to get back into the contest.

Gray's side had won twice in a week to get back on track in League One but started poorly to leave the manager to rue the opening 30 minutes.

He said: "We had very good wins against Hereford and Leeds but it was definitely a case of three points thrown away.

"You can't give teams a one-goal start, let alone two. Both their goals came from set-pieces and if players are given the responsibility they've got to do their job.

"But I felt we got out-muscled for both goals and for much of the game.

"All credit to the players, though, they gave it a real go in the second half, but we didn't quite get the breaks in front of goal.

"There were several defining moments in the game and we had our chances to get something out of it. But I think one or two of our players had a bit of a shock against a more physical side."