ANYONE expecting a comfortable evening for Oxford United at Accrington Stanley was always likely to be disappointed.

A cold, wet February night at the Wham Stadium was not the most appealing prospect, particularly after the U’s dug deep to beat Portsmouth in an exhausting contest three days earlier.

That is not to excuse United’s display, which was not good enough for large parts of the game.

But it is far from a disaster to lose to a team who have beaten runaway leaders Rotherham United and held MK Dons and Sunderland at home in the last two months.

This was not necessarily a reality check after some incredible results for the U’s in recent weeks, more a reminder that Sky Bet League One offers so many different challenges that you are bound to come unstuck now and again.

Read also: Karl Robinson explains where Accrington got the better of Oxford United

Karl Robinson spoke before the game about not fighting fire with fire and sticking to the possession-based approach that has served his side well for three seasons.

United tried to do that, but Stanley did not let them. A couple of excellent moves at 0-0 showed what the U's can do, with Nathan Holland almost repeating his winner against Pompey and Matty Taylor seeing a shot cleared off the line.

But from the moment John O’Sullivan put Accrington ahead in the 28th minute the hosts successfully broke up the contest, as most teams would do.

It was another frustrating goal to concede, with Steve Seddon heading straight to the forward on the edge of the box.

I thought the left back had a decent game and some of the stick he is getting is unfair, but he needs to cut out mistakes like that.

RATINGS: Every Oxford United player marked out of 10

It was a makeshift United defence and they had no choice, with Luke McNally unavailable and Sam Long not quite fit.

Ciaron Brown generally defended well but it feels like you get the best out of him and Seddon in a back three, with the latter as a wing back.

Whether United can do that depends on them having McNally and/or Long available so it will be interesting to see how they start against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Accrington did not time-waste as blatantly as Portsmouth did at the weekend and they looked a decent side going forward, especially on the break, so deserved the three points.

They stopped United having long spells of dominance, although it was again encouraging to see flexibility in the visitors’ shape thanks to the options off the bench.

Mark Sykes tried to make things happen and Sam Baldock looks like a player that will win matches between now and the end of the season.

WATCH: Highlights of last night's game

To have that many attacking substitutes shows the strength in depth the U’s have in forward positions – and that is with James Henry and Marcus Browne still to come in.

It was undoubtedly a disappointing night for United and they will have to perform better on Saturday against a Bolton side who are flying.

The U’s would have only been outside the top two on goal difference if they had won, with several teams around them slipping up – it just goes to show you can never take anything for granted in League One.