Stand-in skipper Johnny Mullins knows it is time for Oxford United to claim their first home league win of 2016 this afternoon in what he has described as the biggest game of their season to date.

Accrington Stanley visit the Kassam Stadium as the closest challengers to United’s position in Sky Bet League Two’s automatic promotion places.

The division’s surprise package are six points adrift, but with two games in hand they are serious challengers.

They arrive to find United stuttering at home, with Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Northampton Town extending their winless run in all competitions at the Kassam to five games.

Michael Appleton’s men have not taken three points in front of their own fans since beating Exeter City 3-0 on Boxing Day.

Strong away form has kept United on track but Mullins, who will skipper the side in Jake Wright’s absence, knows the barren home run has to be halted.

He said: “It is overdue. I don’t think we’ve performed too badly, we just haven’t got the results we feel we have warranted.

“Without any shadow of a doubt we want to get back to winning at home in front of our fans to open up that gap.

“Hopefully while I’m (captain) we can get a few wins.“It shouldn’t really change me, I hope it doesn’t.

“The only thing I need to bring to my game is more organisational skills, which is something an armband shouldn’t do.


“If 'Skip' isn’t there, other players are going to have to add to their game.

“It’s something I’ve done before and I’m comfortable with.”

Stanley are punching well above their weight for a side whose average home gates are just over 1,500.

But John Coleman has built a side who play without the burden of expectation, which makes them dangerous opponents.

Mullins said: “They play with a sense of freedom.

“When we have the ball they back themselves to defend with maybe fewer players than other teams would and hope to catch you on the break.

“They have players popping up in positions where you think ‘where’s he come from?’ “They are effective at doing it and you’ve only got to look at the table to see they are doing something right.

“It’s one we can’t take for granted and it’s our biggest game so far.”