Oxford United boss Wilder to fine himself after dismissal

With the home side hanging on to a slender lead in the final minute the visitors were awarded a cheap free-kick on the edge of the penalty area.

It was too much for the U’s boss, who took out his frustration on a set of drinks bottles to earn a dismissal.

Wilder must wait for referee Keith Stroud’s report before finding out if it will incur a touchline ban, but he immediately looked to make amends.

“I apologised to everyone, our players as well, because I’ve got to make sure I keep my cool,” he said.

“Sometimes it blows over because I’m as desperate as anybody that we do well and win.

“I apologised to the ref, the fourth official and obviously to the bottles as well because of what I did to them – I abused them.

“It’s done and dusted now and I’ll fine myself.”

On the pitch the U’s claimed a precious three points in their promotion challenge thanks to a 57th-minute strike from Dean Morgan.

It was made a tense game by a strong display from the visitors and Wilder was thrilled with the result.

He said: “I’ve not seen a better game than that all season. They were a threat and moved the ball really well, and we passed it really well.

“It was a tight game, they are at this time of the season.

“We scored a cracking goal and through no other reason than us giving the ball away too cheaply in the last ten minutes and that’s obviously resulted in my frustration.

He added: “Yet again heroic blocks and defending shows a real desire to do something this season and it’s a real big three points.”

Morgan was delighted to net the winner – even if it was helped by a bit of luck.

He said: “Everyone was telling me ‘shoot, shoot, shoot’ – I didn’t even think to be honest, I just took a touch and tried to hit it towards the goal as hard as I could.

“Nine times out of ten at the near post the goalkeeper saves it, but it went under his body.

“A goal in any game is good and obviously getting the winner makes it more special.”