PEP Clotet admitted Oxford United need to "step-up" after being critical of their performance in the 3-2 defeat to Bradford City.

The hosts should have been out of sight before half-time, but only led through Charlie Wyke's second-minute strike.

Canice Carroll brought United level against the run of play, only for the visitors to concede twice within nine minutes.

Jon Obika pulled a goal back to set up a tense finish, but Clotet - who has always defended his players this season - was not happy as a poor run was extended to just two wins in a dozen Sky Bet League One games.

"There are some positives from the game but also some negatives and this time I will focus on the negative side," he said.

"I want to be very critical in the fact that we need to step up a bit more. It’s very difficult to compete for 90 minutes.

"In the first half Bradford dominated all the second balls, they dominated the first touch and that showed with the first goal.

"I understand they wanted to get on the front foot after two bad results recently, but we allowed them to do it.

"In the second half the team was much better. Straight away we dominated the second balls, but we have to be better when we get near the box.

"We have to be more clinical.

"Bradford were very clinical and cut the mistakes in the build-up.

"We have to be critical of that and sort it out. We have to demand more of ourselves in those areas."

Carroll's goal was his first at senior level, but the joy was short-lived and the teenager would have happily swapped it to avoid defeat.

He said: "I’m happy with the goal, but obviously the result overshadows that and makes me forget it.

"In hindsight I’d rather not score and we get the three points.

"We made it difficult for ourselves.

"When I scored and we got back into the game we need to be more ruthless at defending our own goal instead of conceding too many."