If further proof was needed that Colchester United head coach John McGreal is willing to be flexible in his tactics and team selection, look no further than the side's defeat to Portsmouth.

Three changes were made to the starting line-up which performed with such attacking intent against Grimsby Town and Cambridge United.

He set out to frustrate Portsmouth, handing starts to experienced midfielders Craig Slater and Doug Loft.

The plan very nearly paid off, with both midfield men putting in assured performances.

Slater in particular relished the opportunity to start for his new club, getting on the ball often and very nearly opening the scoring in the second half with a rasping drive from the edge of the area.

It was an intelligent and shrewd move from McGreal, recognising the threat that Portsmouth posed at home in front of possibly the largest crowd in League Two.

Although Denny Johnstone was largely ineffectual as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation, he hassled the two Portsmouth centre backs well, allowing Colchester's midfield slightly more space and time to operate.

This was another formation change for the team, but far from tinkering with a winning formula, McGreal adapted his team to counter a strong attacking threat - especially in the first half.

Much of the opening half was a midfield slog, with Dickenson again proving tricky down the left and often putting extremely accurate crosses into the box.

This gave some respite to the Colchester centre backs Eastman and Prosser, who were well equipped to counter any threat posed aerially from free kicks and corners.

However weaknesses were exposed in the side's willingness to give away cheap fouls.

Kurtis Guthrie was shown a yellow for a thumping challenge midway through the first half and there were no complaints when the referee pointed to the spot in the 80th minute.

McGreal and U's keeper Sam Walker both described the foul as silly.

The first penalty clearly shattered a well planned strategy and took the wind out of the team's sails just as they looked to snatch a goal themselves.

Should McGreal's squad iron out such sloppy elements of their game, they look to be a side capable of coping with any scenario League Two could throw at them.