OXFORD United, without a win in six games, are still stuck in the bottom three after Saturday's 1-1 draw, writes JON MURRAY.

Manager Malcolm Shotton said: "Missed chances and one mistake cost us the game . . . I could repeat this every week.

"When you're 1-0 up you should win games 1-0. I think Crewe's goal showed where our weakness is at the back. People know where we're struggling and I know where we're struggling."

Assistant boss Mark Harrison, like Shotton, was unaware of the news that John Gunn was pulling out before the match.

"It's not been a good day all-round," Harrison said. "The players didn't know of this when they went out. It's another kick in the guts.

"One error at the back has cost us. Our defending was a scandal and we're doing it every match.

"We've got individuals who have got to stand up and cut out the mistakes, if not, we'll have to change things around. We need new faces but we can't do anything about it."

Crewe boss Dario Gradi said Windass caused his side problems all afternoon, but was amazed that Oxford could afford him and suggested they were living beyond their means.

"Windass was the most dangerous player on the park. I tried to get him last season but couldn't afford the fee.

"I don't know how Oxford can afford his wages. I couldn't. We lose £400,000 a season and Oxford's crowds aren't much better than ours"

Gradi added: "When I went for Windass I didn't get past his manager. His wages were astronomical. I had about as much chance of signing Alan Shearer."

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