Oxford United boss Chris Wilder described his players as “really arrogant and big-time” as they crashed to a shock 2-1 home defeat against Hayes & Yeading last night.

It was one of the worst performances from a United team since he took charge, and they lost top spot in the Blue Square Premier as Stevenage beat Barrow 4-0 to go two points clear at the summit.

Oxford have a game in hand, which comes on Saturday when Stevenage don’t play.

It was two former United players who hurt them last night. Steve Basham scored both Hayes goals, while Yemi Odubade smashed a hat-trick for Stevenage.

Wilder gave his team a rollicking after what was only their second home defeat of the season, with the home dressing room door locked for an hour.

When he emerged, he admitted responsibility himself for the setback, and said: “We were awful, there’s no dressing it up. I’d not seen it coming, to be fair.

“I didn’t think we deserved to win the game at all.

“We’d prepared just the same, the coaching staff had reminded them of the pitfalls of looking at league tables and the opposition and recent results.

“I thought we were really arrogant and it was a really big-time performance from the players, as if they didn’t want to get their hands dirty, and do the hard parts of the game.

“I take responsibility. It’s my team, I had the ability to change it around, but it was a real poor night for us, possibly the poorest night I’ve had since I've been in charge of the club.”

Basham, who played just under 200 games for Oxford United in a five-year spell, did not celebrate his goals.

He said afterwards: “You have got to be professional and do your job, but I hope Oxford bounce back.

“I didn’t celebrate the goals out of respect for my old club. There was no need to rub it in.

“It was a great night for me and for Hayes. We have got some good players in our team.

“Garry Haylock (Hayes manager) deserves some credit. He made some changes after Saturday – we lost 3-2 against Luton – and it worked well.”

Oxford have to visit Hayes & Yeading in a few week’s time for the return match and Basham added: “That’s a huge game for the club.”

l UNITED’s Sam Deering, 19, has signed a new two-year contract.

l Last night’s match report: Page 38