COLCHESTER should have scored at least twice - that was Ross Embleton’s verdict on their Valley Parade heartbreak.

Head of recruitment Embleton took charge of the U’s in the 2-0 loss as new boss Ben Garner watched from the directors’ box.

And Embleton admitted he was gutted to finish empty-handed as he hands over the reins to the former Charlton and Swindon manager.

He said: “That’s a tough one to take.

“I asked the players to show some big whatsits and back themselves to go out in a big arena and be positive.

“I’m extremely proud of them to have gone and done that in the manner they did in front of a crowd like this.

“We set out with a game plan in the early stages to close the place down a little bit and I felt we did that.

“We certainly deserved a point when you look at the stats. We created the better open chances in the game.

“I’m extremely disappointed we haven’t converted the chances. We got into some glaring positions in front of goal and should have done better.

“We should have at least got two goals.”

Harry Lewis twice denied Colchester in the first half with good saves from former City defender Connor Wood and Tom Hopper.

Embleton was annoyed to concede the opener from a corner as Andy Cook headed home from Harry Chapman’s cross.

“Cook’s the in-form striker in the league, if not the best in the league,” he added.

“We’ve spoken numerous times about the threats that Bradford bring and the amount of times they put the ball in the box. It’s extremely disappointing.

“I’m devastated we’ve come out of this game with nothing.”