BOSS Chris Wilder said his Oxford United players “are a frustrated group”, after they saw their promotion hopes dip further with yesterday’s 0-0 draw at Tamworth.

The U’s are in third place in the Blue Square Premier, for the first time this season, a point behind in-form Luton Town and three behind leaders Stevenage.

It was Oxford’s fourth game without a win, and they are losing ground in the race for automatic promotion, increasing the pressure on them to now win Wednesday’s game at play-off chasing Rushden.

“We have to go again at Rushden,” Wilder said. “I’ll take a win, however it comes.

“We’re a frustrated group at the moment and we’ve got to get over that quickly.”

Oxford had opportunities to win yesterday’s game at The Lamb ground, with the returning James Constable a real threat in the first half.

“I thought he was tremendous in the way he went about the game and the chances – and on another day those go in.”

Wilder chose to keep his top scorer on for the full 90 minutes, even though the player looked very tired near the end.

“The boy ran out of steam. It was a difficult decision for me because he’s not trained much, but I didn’t want to take my leading scorer off.”

Getting goals has become a problem for Wilder’s men, and some supporters are feeling dejected.

The manager said: “I understand the fans’ frustration. I’m frustrated myself.

“Tamworth started brightly and then I thought for 35 minutes we were exceptional, created chances, but ran into an inspired goalkeeper again. Obviously, him getting man-of-the-match tells its own story.

“In the second half it was even, but I thought we lacked a bit of belief.

“There were times when we thought it was not our day and we’ve got to overcome that.

“There’s not a lot wrong with the players’ desire, the players’ attitude, and we need them to calm down a bit.

“People outside the dressing room don’t realise how desperate these boys are to do well. I know because I’m working with them.

“They’re hurting, but there’s still ten games to go, and we’re three points off the top.

“Luton are on a charge at the moment, which I fully expected them to be from the start. They’ve taken a bit of a while to get going.

“Maybe with another team in and around, it will take the pressure off us a bit, and we can get going.”

l Match report & fan’s view: Pages 38-39