NEW boss Malcolm Shotton is convinced Oxford United are on the right track - despite suffering his first defeat since taking over the hot-seat.

Shotton, who had notched up victories against Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest in his first two games, watched his Oxford team put up another battling display against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday only to go down 1-0 - with the goal scored by former Oxford midfielder Bob Ford.

"I don't like losing," said Shotton. "But you have got to think that with what we have got we are doing alright.

"We need to do a little bit better to compete with the bigger clubs and work that much harder and make sure we do compete with them.

And he added: "It isn't going to happen overnight. It is going to be a process of where we have got to work at it and work at it. It will take a little time, but we will get there."

Shotton was disappointed that his Oxford team hadn't seen any reward for their efforts.

"I thought the lads worked hard," he said. "Just a little bit of luck in front of goal was not with us.

"I thought we had a little bit of luck at the other end where they have hit the bar a couple of times, but that is all part and parcel of the game.

"It is three points lost and obviously it is disappointing to lose."

Blades boss Nigel Spack-man said: "Malcolm Shotton has come in at Oxford and got them playing well and it was a difficult game for us."

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