Chris Wilder feels Oxford United need a bit more luck in front of goal, starting with Saturday’s League Two trip to Crewe.

The U’s created numerous chances against Stockport last Saturday, only to go down to a 1-0 defeat against Paul Simpson’s side, who enjoyed large slices of luck, coupled with some solid defending.

“It was the correct performance, but not the correct result,” said Wilder, whose side are unbeaten away from home this season.

“We created 25 chances on Saturday which was enough to win more than one game.

“I felt we should have had two penalties, and the offside decision against James Constable was remarkable.

“We couldn’t do much more than we did, apart from of course sticking the ball in the back of the net.

“You always need a bounce of the ball in any sport.

“Maybe we will have a game that we get that little bit of luck.”

Wilder added: “We are playing decent football. You have to have the confidence to be able to move teams about and I think we have done that.

“We have to make sure we are positive and that our footballing priniciples are right.

“I’m not bothered about how people see the opposition.

“We’re not doing badly – tenth after seven games, and the crowds which were something like 3,000 when we took over to 7,000 show that we are.

“Massive credit must go to the supporters and the players in what we are producing on the field.”

Meanwhile, left back Anthony Tonkin will be on familiar ground.

The defender made 86 appearances for the Railwaymen between 2003-6, which included playing in the Championship.

He said their legendary boss Dario Gradi had played a big part in his development as a player.

“I never did a YTS scheme, so I really had to teach myself how to play. When I went to Crewe I was coached how to defend correctly.

“They run the club within their means and don’t stretch themselves.

“The emphasis is on youth and they have a very good system in place.

“When I was there, they took players from Non-league and they are still doing it now.

“A lot of the players that were there when I was there have gone now. I think the only one still there is Lee Bell.

“Dario has done a good job – when he went there they were struggling in the then Fourth Division and he took them all the way up to the Championship.

“It’s nice to play against your old club, but it’s really just a game we are looking to win.

“It will be a tough game, but as a squad I think we have adapted well to League.

“It was disappointing to concede that goal and not to take our chances.

“I think we need to keep playing as we have been doing and be a bit more clinical as a team.”