Oxford United boss Darren Patterson said he took full responsibility for his team's dismal display on Saturday.

The U's crashed to their heaviest home defeat since slipping into Non-League as play-off chasing Burton beat them 3-0.

United gifted the visitors their opening two goals, but even after that they were woeful in virtually every area of the pitch.

Patterson, who himself came in for strong criticism from supporters, said: "I apologise whole-heartedly and take full responsibility.

"I can understand the fans having a go because I pick the team and we've been battered at home 3-0.

"And it's not just the result, but the manner which is hard to take."

A visibly shaken Patterson admitted afterwards: "I'm a bit numb, I've got to be honest.

"The first 15-20 minutes we've put three up front, the system's working a treat, we're creating chan- ces, we look like scoring goals and then we concede a horrific goal, and then fold.

"And from then on in it was embarrassing and I take full and total responsibility for it.

"I picked the team, I brought the majority of the players in there, and the lads that have been here we've looked after.

"Since I've been in, there's been a consistency of effort from 1-11 and subs, and no-one's done us and turned us over.

"But as soon as the first goal went in, I looked across and looked around, and myself and Mickey (Lewis) are screaming and bawling, and shouting trying to generate some interest and passion, and everybody was just walking around.

"And that's totally unacceptable and I apologise."

Billy Turley blundered to hand Burton their opener on 20 minutes and it was an uncharacteristically sloppy performance all-round from United's keeper.

"My keeper's had an injury which he's been carrying for some time and has been getting through, but maybe he's not been telling us just how bad it is because, looking at the first goal, it seemed a problem," he explained.

"That doesn't stop him kicking and doing other things better then he did. Then again, he made a great save after that.

"What was going on in people's heads after 70 minutes, I don't know, because there were just people wandering around aimlessly. It was inept."

The 4-3-3 system Patterson employed could have worked well, had the players grafted, but that too became a disaster.

And the capitulation late on, when one or two United players simply gave up running, was unacceptable, said the U's boss.

"Regardless of any system, or any selection, whoever goes out there has got to give 100 per cent for 90 minutes, that's the least you expect, and I'm scratching my head to wonder why that happened at the end.

"We looked leggy from 70 minutes onwards. The first 15 minutes we looked sharp, but the rest of it was unacceptable, and it's the kind of thing i've got to sort out very, very quickly.

"The only positive is that most people we've brought in are on loan. They've generally done well, but today they went missing.

"But I pick them, I brought them here, so I take full responsibilty."