Oxford United boss David Kemp vented his frustration over the weekend that on-loan goalkeeper Neil Cutler has had to return to Aston Villa.

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Although Cutler was not universally popular with the fans many of whom feel Richard Knight is equally good Kemp was eager to keep the Villa keeper for a third month, and the player himself was keen to stay.

But it appears the block was put on the move by chairman Firoz Kassam.

"It's frustrating that Neil will be going back," Kemp said after Saturday's 2-0 defeat by table-topping Millwall at the Manor Ground, which has now turned out to be Cutler's final game.

"It's one step forward and two steps back. Instead of us pushing on, we're back to square one."

Oxford were long ago condemned to Division 3 football next season, although mathematically they are not down yet.

But the very least their supporters want is for the team to maintain some pride in the final few weeks and try to reach 30 points, which is double what they have at present.

"It was obviously a team low on confidence against a top-of-the-table team high on confidence," said Kemp, who has had two spells as first-team coach at the New Den. "Millwall are by far and away the best team in this division."

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