ANOTHER five-figure home crowd, another five-goal thriller.

Oxford United are many things, but they are certainly not boring.

The U’s achieved their third successive 10,000-plus league crowd against Bolton Wanderers, a Kassam Stadium first, and each game ended 3-2.

You suspect United might not have reached five figures if they were not exciting to watch, regardless of their position in the table.

But unless you are one of the top teams in the world, putting on a show comes at a cost.

Billy Bodin’s first-half performance was worth the entrance fee and not just because of his two fabulous goals.

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The 29-year-old created United's two best chances, setting up Matty Taylor with an improvised pass straight out of a video game and sending Gavin Whyte through one-on-one.

Those missed chances came back to haunt United, yet they still ended the day joint top of Sky Bet League One’s scoring charts with Sunderland.

Unfortunately, the U's have also shipped two goals seven times in eight matches and the 41 they have conceded this season is more than 12 teams.

Like against Portsmouth a week ago, United scored early - only to concede a poor goal in a flash.

Herbie Kane could have been stronger in the tackle in the build-up to the goal, while Sam Long had to stop Declan John getting the shot away.

Luke McNally's poor header allowed Marlon Fossey to make it 2-2, while Mark Sykes was caught out of position for the winner.

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The U's cannot let these defensive lapses continue with such regularity. Accrington Stanley's opener, both Portsmouth goals and even Wigan Athletic's equaliser on February 1 were avoidable.

It is extra frustrating that Bolton's winner came from a United corner as the hosts' set-piece threat disappeared when Bodin was substituted.

This may have contributed to the decision to play it short when Jack Stevens came up for two set-pieces at 3-2 down - a tactic that did not go down well in the stands.

After five games in 15 days and back-to-back defeats it is a good time for United to have a free midweek.

Karl Robinson has said it will be an important few days on the training ground as the U's work on eradicating these defensive mistakes, hopefully with a fully-fit, first-choice back four.

United are only outside the play-off places on goal difference, albeit with fewer games left than the teams around them, so there is no need to panic on that front.

More concerning is the lift this will give Bolton, who have dragged themselves into the promotion mix with six wins from seven matches.

WATCH: Highlights of yesterday's game

It looked like a top nine had broken away in Sky Bet League One, but Wanderers can legitimately call themselves play-off candidates.

The U’s end the month with winnable games against Charlton Athletic, Crewe Alexandra and Cambridge United.

Seven points would take United to 60 - a very healthy tally with 11 matches remaining.

We can be confident they will score goals, but the U's must cut out the defensive mistakes to stay in the mix.