JASON De Vos, the Ipswich Town captain, today called for more muscle and more quality.Reflecting on Friday's disappointing and slightly embarrassing 1-0 defeat at impoverished neighbours Colchester United, the central defender said: “We put in plenty of effort, but we did not have the quality to go with it.

By Elvin King

JASON De Vos, the Ipswich Town captain, today called for more muscle and more quality.

Reflecting on Friday's disappointing and slightly embarrassing 1-0 defeat at impoverished neighbours Colchester United, the central defender said: “We put in plenty of effort, but we did not have the quality to go with it.

“And, especially in the first period, we were out-muscled.

“Alan Lee and Jon Macken up front were being mugged, and although we got the ball down and passed it around after the interval we did not hurt Colchester enough.

“We are a big club and we have set ourselves standards. But we did not play to the level we want, particularly in the first half.

“We had a legitimate goal disallowed, and I still don't know why, and all-in-all it was just not our night.”

Jon Macken looked back on the defeat and said: “We were robbed.”

The 29-year-old striker wheeled away in delight after forcing the ball over the line in the 51st minute of the televised Championship encounter at Layer Road.

He was joined in celebration by most of his team mates unaware that referee Lee Probert had blown for an alleged foul by the on-loan Crystal Palace front man.

There were no complaints from the Colchester defence, and television evidence confirmed it was a perfectly legal goal.

Robbed of his first goal for Ipswich, Macken said: “I certainly never did anything wrong, just making a determined effort to reach the ball first ahead of two home players.

“The referee indicated that there had been a foul on the keeper but I can't see where he got that from.

“I never touched him and just put the ball over the line. The lads all thought it was a harsh decision.”

U's keeper Aidan Davison had made a superb stop to deny Alan Lee and the ball ran loose for Macken to react first and find the net in front of the stand housing Ipswich fans.

It was a big turning point in the match although overall the homespun Colchester side deserved their momentous victory.

Colchester boss Geraint Williams was sympathetic to Town's plight over the disallowed 'goal'.

He said: “I couldn't see why it was ruled out.

“Of course I'm glad it wasn't given, but if I was Jim Magilton I would be disappointed.”