Tony Humes felt there were people who were “quite happy” for his Colchester United side to fail as they lost a fourth League One game in a row.

The U’s saw a two-goal lead wiped out by Crewe Alexandra’s second-half comeback at the Weston Homes Community Stadium as they lost 3-2 to slip to within a point of the relegation zone.

A crowd of just 2,602 may have been the smallest home gate of the season, but loud booing rang out around the ground in the latter stages of the game and at the final whistle.

Humes was critical of the way that his players went on the back foot rather than looking to build on their lead, but was also disappointed with the negative outpourings from the stands.

“I have worked as hard as the players out there,” he said.

“I was encouraging all game, trying to get them to be confident and trying to get them through the game.

“But it obviously wasn’t enough either.

“You always look at yourself to see what you can do more after every game whether win, lose or draw.

“That’s all you can do.

“I can do more, there’s always things you can do.

“Obviously by the tone of what was around the game, a lot of people don’t agree with that.

“That’s their opinion but the players need an encouraging environment around them.

“They needed it but it seemed as if there were people there who were quite happy for them to fail.”