DES Buckingham told Will Vaulks to be proud of his display rather than focusing on his mistake which ultimately cost Oxford United a point at Coventry City.

The U’s had fought back twice to make it 2-2, but in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Vaulks played a casual back pass which allowed Haji Wright to run through on goal and round Jamie Cumming before finding the net.

It was a bitter blow for United, and of course for Vaulks, who had again caught the eye with his battling qualities and tenacity in the middle of the park.

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U’s head coach Buckingham said: “It’s one mistake. It won’t determine the outcome of our season, it’s one game.

“We want players to be brave and play a certain way. Maybe at certain times, we need to put that somewhere else other than where we put it.

“I think that’s the frustrating thing. We’d done so well, and we actually gifted them the goal. That’s more the frustration.

“It’s about keeping your head up and being proud of your performance, so that’s the message that was passed on.”

Vaulks was United’s first addition of the summer transfer window, arriving in June from Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer after his Owls contract expired.