Any realistic hopes Oxford United had of making a late charge for the play-offs diminished last night after they lost 1-0 away to promotion-chasing Shrewsbury.

And to complete an unhappy week for their supporters, after two call-offs and the news that Rushden won't give money back to those who can't make the rearranged date, there was precious little for them to cheer at Gay Meadow.

Former United striker Nigel Jemson laid on the winning goal, scored by right back Darren Moss in the first half, to add to the winner he got when the two sides met at The Kassam Stadium at the start of the season.

United boss Ian Atkins said several aspects of his side's play must improve if they are to start winning on a more regular basis.

He highlighted poor crossing and a failure to win the second ball as key areas.

"If you don't win the first ball, you've got to win the second one and we weren't doing that," he said.

"That's the easy part of the game, if you like, but we've got to win more second ball, and start winning and competing better in certain areas to win the ball back because we've got great technical ability. At times we were terrific and carved out some good chances."

The match was played on a soft, spongy pitch which was not conducive to United's passing game, but they still had a glorious opportunity to earn a point, with substitute Jamie Brooks blazing over in the second half.

"The pitch didn't really suit us," Atkins added. "It was very sticky and very heavy and you have to adapt to it.

"We worked exceptionally hard, the effort was tremendous, but some of it was very misdirected.

"We set out to do jobs individually and I thought we had a good start again and then suddenly started to drift. There was that individual lack of discipline, with individuals wanting to do their own thing.

"We got in good areas but the quality of crossing again left a lot to be desired."

"You ask people to do their jobs and then their concentration level goes a bit."

"The first goal was important on that pitch because whoever scored first could then get people behind the ball and make it very difficult.

"We did attack it as though we were the home side, must have had 60 to 70 per cent of the ball but didn't make the best use of the possession we had."

It is 22 months since United last won an evening game in the league.

A further blow for U's fans was a worry over striker Andy Scott, who felt his hamstring "cramp up". He came off as a precaution but may still be fit for Saturday's game against Swansea.

On the plus side, there was a fine performance from left back Sam Ricketts, in his second game back.

Said Atkins: "I thought Sam Ricketts was outstanding. He was by head and shoulders the best player on the pitch."