MICHAEL Appleton warned his players to be prepared for a “dogfight” this winter after Oxford United slipped towards the relegation zone with a 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town.

The visitors could count themselves fortunate to only be AJ Leitch-Smith’s goal adrift after an incoherent performance in the first half.

There was a big improvement after the break, but despite creating a flurry of chances in a strong 15-minute spell, they could not breach one of Sky Bet League One’s leakiest defences.

Shaun Whalley rubbed salt into the wounds in stoppage-time with a breakaway goal, which saw the visitors fall to 20th position.

It extended a poor run which has seen United collect a solitary point from the last four games and Appleton made it clear a tough period lies ahead if the run is allowed to continue.

The U’s boss said: “We need to start winning games of football because we’re going to be in a dogfight for the next two or three months.

“I made the players more than aware of that.

“Get the basics right – outfight the opposition and hopefully we’ll have enough at the top end of the pitch to do the rest.”

The normally upbeat head coach has always spoken about aiming to get into the mix in the top half of the table, but here admitted to looking at the sides below.

He said: “To be honest, I’ve been looking backwards since the first day of the season, genuinely.

“First and foremost we have get enough points to make sure we stay in this division.

“Once you reach that, you can see how far you can push.”

It is 18 months since Appleton was last confronted by a worrying loss of league form, before United finished his first season in charge with a flourish.

And the approach has not changed.

Appleton said: “You make sure the group stays nice and tight, keeping them confident and having the belief they can go and win game after game.

“There’s certainly enough talent there.

“There are a few young players, but there’s enough experience to do the right things at the right time.”

Appleton will be hoping for some good news on Liam Sercombe, who will be assessed after being carried off late in the game with a knee injury.