Colchester boss Phil Parkinson was full of praise for his League One side after they took the lead but lost 3-1 to Chelsea in the FA Cup.
He said: "They have been a credit to themselves, putting in a magnificent performance and Chelsea will know they have been in a game.
"I think the final score flatters Chelsea a bit and we could have gone in ahead at half-time.
"They are world-class players and you cannot switch off for a second."
Ricardo Carvalho scored an own goal to put Parkinson's side ahead and that lead lasted nine minutes before Paulo Ferreira equalised.
Two goals from Joe Cole in the last 11 minutes spared the Premiership leaders' blushes.
Chelsea 3-1 Colchester
Parkinson added: "There were some tired legs when they brought Crespo, Lampard and Cole on in the second half.
"This game has raised our profile not only in the country but in the town as well and hopefully they will come back for our league games.
"It has paid for our wage bill for a year but that would have been no satisfaction if we had turned up and not given a good account of ourselves."