Ashley Vincent joined Colchester from Cheltenham Town in July 2009

Colchester United forward Ashley Vincent admits that John Ward's side have underachieved this season.

A run of four straight defeats has seen the U's slip out of contention for a League One play-off place.

"There are big clubs in the league who have good players and have spent a lot of money," Vincent told BBC Essex. "But we don't want to use that as an excuse.

"We have enough in the dressing room to be competing and just recently we've fallen short."

The former Cheltenham winger, who has sparred with Ian Henderson for a starting place this season, admits to being frustrated at not getting more games.

"I've not played as many games as I would want to do," said Vincent, who has started 20 of Colchester's 37 games in League One.

"Ian Henderson's been playing really well and keeping me out of the side."

"It's tough at times when you are out of the team, as it is for anyone else."

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