CHRIS Maguire was frustrated he could not celebrate wearing a captain’s armband for the first time in his club career with a positive result as Oxford United lost 2-0 at Shrewsbury Town.

John Lundstram’s stuttering form saw him dropped to the bench, so Maguire was chosen to inherit the role as skipper.

The 27-year-old had previously led Scotland’s under 21 side, but it was a first in almost 350 club games.

He said: “It’s obviously a good sign to have the honour.

“John was rested on the bench and the manager gave the armband to me, it shows how highly he rates me.

“If I’m asked to do it again I’d welcome it. It’s a good responsibility and one I enjoyed. It was just unfortunate we didn’t get the result.”

United deservedly trailed 1-0 at the break after a lacklustre first-half display, but the key period came in a 15-minute spell after the interval.

The visitors were unrecognisable from what had gone before and went on to carve out a succession of chances.

Maguire, who had one free-kick smartly saved and delivered set-pieces headed off target by Chey Dunkley and Curtis Nelson, admitted to thinking an equaliser was only a matter of time.

He said: “We were on top and you could see everyone around the stadium slowing it down.

“The players were telling the ballboys to take their time when the ball went out of play.

“We knew we had them – it was just trying to keep going and make the keeper work even more.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get that goal.

“We were still creating a few chances, which is pleasing, because if you’re not doing that it’s when you start to think ‘what do we need to do?’

“Yes, we didn’t play great but I think everyone saw the tempo in the second half was a lot better.”