OXFORD United’s 2-1 defeat at Morecambe was a tough pill to swallow, says Matty Taylor.

The U’s dominated possession and created countless chances in Lancashire, but could not add to the striker’s third-minute goal.

Morecambe, meanwhile, were ruthless when it mattered and defended like their lives depended on it to secure a win that moves them out of the Sky Bet League One relegation zone.

Read the match report here

United drop to eighth and they are now three points outside the play-off places with five matches of the season remaining.

Victory would have seen the U’s end the night fifth and top-scorer Taylor admitted it was difficult to take.

He said: “The lads are gutted, we felt we did enough to win the game.

“We had a great start, we were well on top and played well for large parts. It was two sloppy goals on our part.

“Fair play to them, they put their bodies on the line and we couldn’t draw level.

“If we did, I felt we would have gone on to win the game.

“We don’t want to lose any game in that manner.

“When you play so well and create so many chances it’s really disappointing.”

The striker’s 20th league goal of the season put United ahead and the visitors controlled the early exchanges, only to find themselves behind after 25 minutes.

First, the U’s failed to clear a free-kick and Aaron Wildig’s strike from 18 yards took a deflection off Taylor to deceive Jack Stevens.

Cole Stockton then dispossessed Herbie Kane in United’s half and exchanged passes with Adam Phillips, before finding the far corner.

Taylor said: “We defend as a team, we attack as a team and we can do better.

“The first goal’s taken a deflection off me and gone in. Jack would have thrown his cap on it.

“For the second one, we gave the ball away cheaply and they’ve punished us.

“We’ve not given away too many chances in the last couple of games and lost, so it’s disappointing.”

United laid siege to the Morecambe goal after the break as they racked up 20 shots overall, although only seven were on target.

Several efforts were blocked by a wall of bodies and when the U’s did find a way through they met a goalkeeper in inspired form.

Morecambe stopper Trevor Carson made a brilliant save from Nathan Holland early in the second half, somehow getting his toe to the winger’s low effort to divert the ball behind.

He also thwarted Luke McNally and Kane, before flying to his left to tip Sam Winnall’s powerful strike over the crossbar in the final minute of normal time.

Karl Robinson was full of praise for the save that denied Holland, but was again left frustrated after seeing his side lose 1-0 at Plymouth Argyle three days earlier.

The U’s head coach said: “We’ve had three shots on target against us in two games and every one’s gone in.

“I don’t think you can blame the goalkeeper for any one of them.

“I’ve not witnessed many games like that.

“The one with the foot is one of the best saves I’ve seen. It was sensational.

“In the last two games the keeper’s been man of the match."