Chris Wilder said he was proud of his players as they showed what they are really made of – despite going down to their first defeat of the season.

The U's were beaten 2-1 at Mansfield, to lose for the first time away in the calendar year, and for the first time on any ground this campaign.

But United's manager said he got more encouragement from the fighting qualities they showed in trying to haul themselves back after conceding twice in the first half, than from last weekend’s all-too-easy 4-0 win over Eastbourne.

“The unbeaten record had to go some time, but I think we've been beaten by a good team tonight," Wilder said after the match.

“They started better than us, quicker than us, and took their chances.

“But I've got to say I'm proud of my players, their reaction when they went 2-0 down was first-class.

“And I've said to them that, in a perverse sort of way – and some people may find this a little bit stupid – but I got more pleasure from them tonight than I did from them on Saturday because Mansfield are a good side.

“They had Daryl Clare and Blair Sturrock on the bench, it's a strong club with a good manager. They will definitely be in and around it. They've had their bad run, and they showed they wanted to get back on track.

“But I've got to say, after 25 minutes to half an hour, we dominated procedings. We pushed them back, we passed the ball well and we created chances.

“Yes, we were a little bit open at the back which made us open for the counter, but my players showed the desire that I think shows we can still go a long way in this league.

“They started better than us. We've got to start sharper and quicker.”

It has been a remarkable away run, Oxford last tasting defeat on the road back in 2008 at Salisbury on Boxing Day.

The U's still lead the table by seven points, ahead of another long trip north, to Gateshead, on Saturday.