City goalkeeper Murphy has urged his City team-mates to respond against Gillingham on Tuesday...
Coventry City goalkeeper Joe Murphy has urged the side to cut out defensive errors after a 2-1 defeat at Colchester United.
The Sky Blues were undone by two long balls over the top of the defence as Freddie Sears got an early opener and Gavin Massey added a second after 25 minutes.
Callum Wilson got City back in the tie on the stroke of half-time with his 17th of the season but despite a spirited second-half performance, City couldn't find a break-through.
After the final whistle at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, Murphy admitted he was surprised by the manner of the goals City conceded.
Murphy said: "The first 25 minutes killed us really. We squeezed our lines a little bit too far and I haven't really seen that type of defending from us before this season.
"We got punished. I don't think I have had to defend one-one-ones like that this season. We didn't look at it in the first half. It was a great goal from Callum Wilson to get us back into it.
"I thought we were going to stream-roll them in the second half as they looked a little bit tired but they somehow held out.
"Callum had a few opportunities and maybe he should have scored. But, we have to look back at our first-half performance and the defending for the goals."
The Sky Blues travel to Gillingham on Tuesday night looking to secure another win over the Gills this season.
The City keeper believes the side have to respond at Priestfield in a difficult period for the Sky Blues.
He added: "It will be our fourth game in ten days. They will make it difficult for us as they are down there scrapping for it.
"It will be another long trip but we played really well against Gillingham at Sixfields so we need a repeat performance.
"We haven't really got a chance to reflect on that result. We have a bit of training to work on what happened in today's game and get us ready to go again."