Steven Gillespie cost Colchester United in excess of �400,000

Colchester United's record signing Steven Gillespie admits his new side were not good enough in their opening match of the season against Hartlepool.

Former Cheltenham striker Gillespie notched a second-half brace as the U's, relegated from the Championship last season, lost 4-2 at Victoria Park.

The 23-year-old striker told BBC Essex: "We've just not performed, tactically we weren't clever enough.

"I'm not making excuses, we're all professionals and that was just poor."

Colchester trailed 4-0 in the encounter, a first-half brace from James Brown and second-half goals from Willie Boland and former U's loanee Ritchie Jones did the damage.

Gillespie responded with a penalty and a header on his debut, but he takes scant consolation from his efforts.

"I haven't played as well as I can, the gaffer will know that, I know that and all the fans will know that as well. There's very little positives to take out of it."

Colchester look to bounce back in the Carling Cup at Gillingham on Tuesday.