OXFORD United's hopes of signing Swindon Town midfielder Peter Holcroft on a month's loan look to have been dashed.

United boss Malcolm Shotton was hoping to sign the 22-year-old, who has been on a two-week trial with Oxford, for another month yesterday so he could play in last night's reserve game against Chelsea Res at Kingstonian.

But the signing didn't go through and, without Holcroft, United Reserves produced a disappointing display in crashing to a 4-0 defeat against a Chelsea side, which included David Rocastle, Jody Morris, Dmitri Kharine and David Lee.

United's reserve team manager Mark Harrison said: "It was a poor performance. We lacked workrate and composure."

Oxford, who trailed 3-0 at half-time, saw their best chance fall to Martin Aldridge, but he volleyed over from six yards.

Oxford Utd Res: Jackson, Rose (Bennett 85), Folland, G Davies, Stevens, Whittle, Wright, Lewis, Murphy, Weatherstone (A Davies 85), Richards (Aldridge 65).

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