CHRIS Wilder felt hard done by as yet another penalty claim went against Oxford United, but admitted it would have been harsh on Cheltenham Town to take maximum points on Saturday.

The promotion rivals played out a gripping goalless draw and although the Robins enjoyed the best of the chances, the U’s were denied a clear penalty late in the first half.

Dean Morgan was brought down in the box on his way to goal, but the referee ruled it was a clean tackle by Sido Jombati.

It was a familiar story for Wilder, whose side have rarely got the rub of the green with decisions in their opponents’ box all season.

“For the penalty shout it was disappointing – we’ve only had two all season and I don’t know what we have to do to get one,” he said.

“I thought it was a penalty from where I was, but it would’ve been harsh on them (to lose).

“It was a real tough game for us; we rode our luck at times and had some fantastic defending.”

Despite the perceived injustice, the U’s boss was happier than his opposite number Mark Yates with the result.

Wilder said: “Overall, at this stage, of the season it’s against a team that’s been in the top three, we’re away from home and you take this result all day long.

“We’ve not let Cheltenham get away from us, it’s a boring one, but we’ve just got to keep churning out performances.

“We’re better than this with the football, we know that, but it’s a nine-month season and you’re not always at your best.

“When you’re not at your best it comes down to what you can get out of games, that was the case and we got a point, so it bodes well for the future.

“Maybe last year we’d have got beaten here, so it shows you the progress we’ve made.”

A point took United up to 62 points, the same tally they accumulated in the whole of last season.

It was enough to remain in the npower League Two play-off places, although wins for sides above them dented hopes of climbing into the top three over the next eight games.

The one disappointing note was an injury to Michael Duberry, which ruled him out of the game.

The veteran defender suffered a groin injury last week and is likely to be a major doubt for tomorrow’s trip to Accrington Stanley.