Colchester United head coach John McGreal admitted the timing of Accrington Stanley's winner was a 'killer blow' after they fell to a 1-0 defeat to the league leaders.

Billy Kee struck the winner for the league leaders just after the hour mark, after the U's had started the second half well and had gone close through both Courtney Senior and Drey Wright.

Kee's goal condemned Colchester to a first defeat in five in League Two, leaving them four points off the play-off places with four games remaining.

McGreal said: "We sensed the one goal was going to win; it was just unfortunate we didn't get it.

"We started the second half really well and their goal was a killer blow.

"To concede when we did just knocked a bit of stuffing out of us.

"Once they got the goal, it was difficult for us and we got caught on the counter attack.

“There’s a reason why they’re top of the league and that’s because of the 1-0 margins that they’ve had of late.

“They’re a terrific team and I compliment them on what they’re done and the fantastic team they’ve got there.

“The run that they’ve been on has been out of the ordinary and it proves at this moment in time that they’re the best in the league.

“The first half was a tight affair but I thought that we started the second half particularly well.

“We gained some territory which we felt we needed to do but we didn’t make the most of the territory that we had.

“We were in possession before their goal and it was a poor one to give away.

“They did what they do best and hit us on the counter and soaked up the pressure.

“We made a fist of it and it was a tight game with not much between the two teams."

McGreal was disappointed with the manner of Accrington's winner, which bounced in off Billy Kee after goalkeeper Sam Walker had parried away Jordan Clark's cross just after the hour mark.

McGreal said: "It went in the far corner.

"A little bit of communication and we can deal with it but the cross came in, Sam's parried it onto (Billy) Kee and it's ricocheted in."