Match Views - Oxford United

Manager Stephen Robinson receiving a warning from the referee

ATHLETIC manager Stephen Robinson was pleased with his side's determined effort to gain a point at Oxford, while conceding that he is seeking improvement in possession:

"It was the response that I asked for. Had we battled like that at Lincoln, we would still be in the FA Cup.

"That's our standard now in desire and energy and it does not drop again.

"That is why my team was picked as it was - boys I can trust. They make make honest mistakes and I said to the boys either on the bench or in the stand, I will be going with that team and sticking with the 12 or 13 until I get new people in where I know exactly what they will give me.

'APPLICATION'

"The fans here saw the application and desire, throwing bodies on the line and Connor Ripley making saves.

"There was a real passion. That is the minimum you can ask for and they gave me that, so full credit to them.

"We are dangerous at set plays and the delivery for the goal was excellent. We work a lot on them and have to, as we are not scoring goals from other sources at the moment.

"Their goal was a super strike. We had possession then lost the ball so that's something we can improve on.

"There is lots to improve on and we can be better on the ball. Had we won 1-0, I would have said exactly the same thing.

Oxford boss Michael Appleton played down his sending-off and felt his side fully deserved to win the game:

"I got a little frustrated that for 75 minutes. I had to listen to their bench abuse the fourth official for things that were going on on the field.

"As soon as I get to question one decision that was a nailed-on foul for us, I got sent to the stands.

"I am not sure how many times their bench came out of their box but it was certainly double figures.

'CROSSES'

"It was frustrating as even at half-time when we were a goal down, they had two crosses into the box. They got a bit of luck with the free-kick and the goal was offside.

"We dominated the game from start to finish, never mind just the second half.

"We had numerous opportunities to win the game that we squandered."

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