KARL Robinson says Oxford United still have ‘a lot to play for’ as they seek to repair the damage of a difficult week.

The U’s lost 2-1 to Sunderland at the Kassam Stadium to leave them four points shy of the Sky Bet League One play-off places, while the Black Cats climbed to sixth.

It followed defeats to Plymouth Argyle and Morecambe in the previous seven days as United remain stranded on 69 points with four games left.

RATINGS: Every Oxford United player marked out of 10

Even if the U’s win their remaining fixtures they are by no means guaranteed a play-off place, with Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland on 73 points with five matches remaining.

Tranmere Rovers were the last team to reach 80 points and not finish in the top six of the third tier, back in 2003.

And Robinson insists the play-off picture can quickly change.

United’s head coach said: “If that (81 points) is not enough that’ll be the first time in Football League history.

“We need to get into the mid-70s with a few games to go and see where we sit. That’s the reality of our challenge.

“We now know one win doesn’t get us in that top three and that’s frustrating.

WATCH: Highlights of yesterday's game

“We’ve got some really difficult games coming up with a lot to play for.

“We’ve got a lot of time to get more out of the games than we got from these three. We’ll be ready and raring to go.

“People will have all these clever ideas about why we haven’t won, but the difference is we haven’t taken chances when they’ve come along and we’ve been punished on the turnover.

“I don’t think you can criticise my players, I thought they gave everything.”

Robinson named his 19th different defensive combination in 42 League One games as Sam Long, Luke McNally, Elliott Moore and Ciaron Brown started against Sunderland.

The back four were solid for much of the contest, although they got dragged over to leave Elliot Embleton free to score the visitors’ 89th-minute winner.

Read the match report here

Moore headed home United’s goal on his first appearances since February 22 and Robinson was pleased with his side’s shape.

He said: “It looked good, I was really happy with what that back four did in and out of possession.

“It was really competent in a lot of areas.

“I thought the balance of our team was as good as it looked for a long time.

“Even though we’ve played well in other games, I thought it showed a bit more balance and control of the football.”