FIRST things first, Oxford United did not play badly at Morecambe.

The U’s had 71 per cent possession, 20 shots to their opponents’ six and goalkeeper Trevor Carson made two unbelievable saves.

Accusations of players not trying or caring are unjustified and you cannot say many had bad games.

But a combination of individual errors and heroic defending meant United lost a match they should have won – and they had to win.

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Matty Taylor’s goal should have given them the platform to win by two or three. It is not that easy, of course, but that move was patient and clinical and it looked like a sign of things to come.

Morecambe were always going to fight for their lives if they had a lead to protect and it was so frustrating that United let them back into the game.

Not for the first time this season, the U’s won the header from a defensive free-kick but directed the ball into a dangerous area. Luke McNally was the culprit, with Aaron Wildig benefitting from a deflection to equalise.

It was that sort of night. United’s mistakes were punished, as Herbie Kane found out for the second goal, while the blocks and deflections did not fall their way.

Another new-look defence – the 18th different combination this season - looked shaky in the 15 minutes between the equaliser and Cole Stockton flashing an effort wide at 2-1, but they were not at fault for the defeat.

Even so, if you said at the beginning of the season that United would be playing a back four of Ryan Williams, McNally, Sam Long and Ciaron Brown in April that would have been surprising, to say the least.

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There was a lot of talk about the formation after Saturday’s defeat at Plymouth Argyle and the U’s looked more balanced in a 4-3-3, despite last starting with that in mid-January.

Nathan Holland produced his best display in weeks on the wing, where he seems to affect the game much more than as a No 10.

Mark Sykes also showed his versatility and was United’s best player in central midfield, despite growing used to the wing back role in recent weeks.

They were not the only attackers who looked bright and it was a dominant display that only lacked an end product, particularly in the second half.

WATCH: Highlights of last night's game

It is amazing how many times we have said that considering the U’s are still Sky Bet League One’s highest scorers by a comfortable margin.

That has dug United out of trouble several times this season, but it will not always be the case and when you cannot keep clean sheets that makes you vulnerable.

The season is certainly not over, but the U’s are now bottom of a four-team mini league where the top two will probably make the play-offs.

They play one of the three clubs above them on Saturday when Sunderland come to town. Last night’s result makes that game a must-win.