LUKE McNally was pleased to have an impact at the other end of the pitch as his stoppage time header salvaged a point for Oxford United.
Bersant Celina’s goal looked to have secured a priceless three points for Ipswich Town when he fired home from Wes Burns’ cross on 70 minutes.
However, Karl Robinson’s side has a spectacular knack for late goals this season, claiming an extra 11 points in the final 15 minutes of games.
Read also: Herbie Kane praises ‘desire and hunger’ as United leave it late again
McNally was glad to be the latest last gasp hero when he headed home Herbie Kane’s corner.
“It was a lot of relief, it was an important goal considering where we are in the table,” the centre back said.
“We need to keep picking up points, we couldn’t probably afford to have lost.
“I’m very happy to score and snatch a point.
“It’s a good trend to keep going – we’re obviously disappointed with the second half but when you have a good togetherness and a good team spirit, you do always believe.
“I don’t think any of us panic when we go a goal down.”
Despite creating a handful of openings in the first half, United weren’t at their best against the Tractor Boys, particularly in the second period.
McNally admitted it wasn’t a great showing but said the late point means the U’s will have something to build on when they go to Plymouth Argyle after the international break.
Read more: Our ratings for Oxford United’s draw against Ipswich
“We were poor in the second half, I think we all know before he [Robinson] told us after the game, we were poor,” said McNally.
“We are going to concede goals, I find myself high up the pitch and trying to play so it’s going to happen but you take some, you lose some.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t play great but that’s a 46-game season, you can’t expect to boss everyone all the time.
“It happens in football, we had a bad half there but I think we’ve got something to work towards in two weeks for the next game.”
Due to international call-ups seeing the Morecambe fixture postponed, United find themselves with a two-week break before the trip to Plymouth, who leapfrogged the U’s with a 4-0 win at home to Accrington Stanley.
McNally said the additional week off may prove beneficial for United, with something of a ‘mini season’ set to take place following the international break.
“I’m usually a player that wants to keep going and keep the games rolling but I think at this moment, I’d take that week now quite happily,” said McNally.
“Refresh and then we just look at it as seven games to get as many points as we can.
“It’s good in a way that they’re above us – if we have the mentality of hold on, I don’t think that’s any good so now they’re above us, that’s a good thing.
“We’ll go and attack, and go after them – they’ll feel like there’s something to hold onto.”
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