Cambridge United head coach Mark Bonner disappointed with how team surrendered control in defeat to Bristol Rovers

Head coach Mark Bonner has bemoaned the way in which his Cambridge United side surrendered control during this afternoon’s 2-1 defeat at home to Bristol Rovers.

The U’s were on the front foot during the opening 20 minutes at the Abbey Stadium and had Sam Smith’s early goal to show for their endeavours.

But two quickfire goals had visiting Rovers in front by the 30th minute and it was a lead that they refused to relinquish.

“The first 20 minutes were outstanding. We scored a brilliant goal and maybe could have extended the lead in that period because we had some real momentum at that point,” said Bonner.

“Their first attack of the game is a counter-attack off our restart and we’re not set up properly. We’ve got to make a foul in the build up to that and Will (Mannion, goalkeeper) makes a decent save but they score the rebound. They get back into a game where we’ve had fairly good control.

“We were everything we wanted to be in the first 20 minutes and within a five-minute period the game turned around.

“The second goal is offside, a good couple of yards offside and that sort of sums it up for us.

“Just keep it at one (nil up) and do your job properly and don’t let a breakaway goal get us.

“We’re at home against a side that leaves two or three up the pitch constantly and tries to separate you from defence to midfield and we didn’t do our jobs properly – we get punished for it.

“It isn’t good enough. We’ve lost too many games and it’s my responsibility to put it right. We’ve got to do it because 15 defeats in 25 games is hopeless.

“We opened up a little bit too much having got control. Our front four, who started really well, got tempted out to engage a little bit too high, too early and then it tempted our midfield out a little too high and all of a sudden we’ve got their front three up against us.

“We probably got a bit excited with the start we made and lost a bit of discipline. We needed to stay in shape a little bit more when we were one-up because you can control a game from that position of being ahead and you don’t need to open it up too much.”

Bonner also had bad news to report on new signing Steve Seddon, who was stretched off just 45 minutes into his debut with what looks like a fractured cheekbone.

The boss added: “Steve has taken a whack in the face and it looks like he's fractured his cheekbone. We'll see how long that is but it's tough to take to be honest.”