Phil Parkinson’s first year in charge of Colchester United ended on a sour note as his side were well defeated 4-1 by Port Vale at Layer Road.
Ironically, it was exactly a year ago that Parkinson celebrated his first match in charge with a 4-1 demolition act on visiting Vale.
But the boot was on the other foot as Parkinson's first year in charge of the Essex club ended with a reverse scoreline against a rampant Vale.
Parkinson was left fuming as his side blew an early lead and proceeded to leak four soft goals to leave his side with a mountain to climb if they are to make the play-offs.
By contrast, high-flying Port Vale have risen into the top six and they look good bets to make the play-offs in May if this performance is anything to go by.
Vale struck the woodwork after only four minutes when a header by Stephen McPhee rattled the bar.
But it was Colchester who took the lead when striker Wayne Andrews was felled into the box by skipper Sam Collins, leading to a penalty.
Up stepped leading scorer Scott McGleish to ram home his 15th goal of the season.
But a terrible mix-up by keeper Simon Brown and defender Sam Stockley gifted Port Vale an equaliser just three minutes later.
Steve Brooker gleefully nipped in to sweep the loose ball into an empty net.
The visitors took the lead in the 23rd minute via an own goal from defender Wayne Brown.
The U's could not deal with a long throw and Billy Paynter flicked on for Michael Cummin's to hook a shot across goal, only for the ball to fly in off the body of defender Wayne Brown.
Vale had a two-goal cushion when the impressive Cummins headed home a free-kick from Ryan Brown in the 27th minute.
Colchester improved after the break but they could not eat into Port Vale's lead and their misery was complete when Marc Bridge-Wilkinson drove home Vale's fourth in the 73rd minute.
McPhee's initial shot was blocked and the rebound fell kindly for Bridge-Wilkinson who gave keeper Simon Brown no chance.