OXFORD United must learn lessons to ensure they never allow a two-goal lead to slip again, according to Curtis Nelson.

A fast start was rewarded by goals from Chey Dunkley and Dan Crowley inside the opening 20 minutes at Vale Park.

The visitors had chances to put the game out of sight before Port Vale hit back after the break.

A more direct approach, coupled with United indiscipline, yielded Port Vale two goals from set-pieces in five minutes to earn a 2-2 draw.

Taking a share of the spoils from the side with the best home record in Sky Bet League One was a reasonable return for the U’s on paper, but Nelson admitted the way it came about was hugely frustrating.

“The manner we’ve got the point is the disappointing part having been ahead,” he said.

“We did give away a few cheap free-kicks which didn’t help the situation.

“We were 2-0 up at half-time and it’s important when we find ourselves in that position again, whether it’s next Saturday or after Christmas – we have to learn from it and see the game out.”

The centre back was among five players brought into the starting line-up in the wake of last week’s 2-1 defeat at Coventry City.

It was the defender’s first competitive action for two months due to a foot injury and he was at the centre of the game’s key moment.

After Vale pulled a goal back, they were awarded a penalty when Rigino Cicilia went down following an aerial challenge with Nelson.

Ryan Taylor converted the spot-kick, which earned the point.

Views on referee Ben Toner’s decision were split among the visitors.

United’s head coach Michael Appleton said: “I’m embarrassed about it. It’s not a penalty.”

But left back Joe Skarz disagreed, saying: “If it’s against my team I’d be appealing for a penalty.

“Some you get, some you don’t, but I’m not going to have a go at the ref.”

Nelson felt he had made a fair attempt to win the ball, but the defender did not try to pass the buck.

He said: “All I’ve done is make an honest challenge to try and head the ball. I’ve headed the back of his head and he’s gone down.

“The ref straight away said I pushed him. I said ‘he’s holding his head, how can I have pushed him?’

“He said he’d have a look at it afterwards. I take responsibility for it and I’ll learn from it.”