TOM Eastman says he and his Colchester United team-mates will benefit from the “learning curve” of their pre-season setback against Leyton Orient.

After a string of wins in friendlies, the U’s were brought back to earth following a 3-0 defeat at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, on Saturday.

It was their first loss of the summer, with the prospect of another challenging home game looming tomorrow night against Ipswich Town.

However, Eastman was in philosophical mood afterwards and said the players will take their defeat on the chin and learn from the experience.

“It was a tough game,” said the centre-half, the club’s player-of-the-year for the last two seasons.

“Orient beat us comfortably in the end so it was a bit of a learning curve.

“We’ve been cruising so far in pre-season so although it was disappointing to lose, it was good to have a hard game and one we can learn from."

For the full story, more reaction and pictures, see Monday's Gazette.