MICHAEL Appleton will review Oxford United’s penalty plan today after seeing another saved spot-kick again cost his side valuable points.

Kemar Roofe’s effort from 12 yards was saved by Morecambe goalkeeper Barry Roche in Saturday’s 0-0 draw.

It added to failures from the spot this season by Danny Hylton and Alex MacDonald and Appleton intends to look into the situation ahead of tomorrow’s trip to York City.

The U’s coach did not rule out Roofe, who did score a penalty against Mansfield Town last month, from keeping the role, although he put Danny Rose and Liam Sercombe forward as alternatives.

“It’s an Achilles’ heel at the minute and we have to try and find a way of dealing with it,” he said.

“I don’t think it will bother Kemar’s confidence, he’s not that type of player, but he’s got to feel right.

“It might be that on Tuesday night he might go ‘I’m not playing particularly well – Liam Sercombe or Danny Rose it’s over to you’.”

Appleton rued the fact his side could take only a point from a game where they were unquestionably the better team, but was keen to remain upbeat.

He said: “The players know from the amount of chances we create we should convert more.

“But you don’t destroy them on it, we’re nine games into a season and these players are only going to get better.”

A lack of goals again prompted questions over striking options and while Patrick Hoban and Ryan Taylor came off the bench to little effect, James Roberts was an unused substitute and is yet to play this season.

Appleton said: “Over the last two or three weeks (Roberts) has improved in a lot of areas. He’s certainly getting closer to it.

“I’m not sure James would’ve made a massive difference to us today, just because of the lack of space to get in behind them.”

He added: “We’ll go through spells like this and as long as we’re defending well and playing well I’ve got ultimate trust in the players they will eventually start scoring goals.”