OXFORD United knew exactly what Barnet were planning but were unable to prevent their game plan from working in their shock 3-2 victory, according to Johnny Mullins.

The U’s were well-fancied to claim the points at the Kassam Stadium against a Bees side with the worst away record in Sky Bet League Two.

But the hosts struggled to handle big striker John Akinde, who set up the first goal with just the sort of flick-on from a long ball United were expecting, before bagging the second after an error from Jake Wright.

Their approach did not surprise Mullins, who was powerless to prevent three goals in the space of five minutes.

“It was a crazy spell and that can’t happen at any level of football,” the centre back said.

“We knew what they were going to do and we’ve not dealt with it.

“We worked on it all week, knew exactly what it was going to be like and we haven’t dealt with the first one, the second one, or the third one.

“From a defending point of view it’s not good enough.”

The wobble, combined with United missing chances at the other end, saw the side crash to only their second league defeat of the season – and their first at home.

Mullins said: “You’re not going to get a more disappointed dressing room than we’ve got now, but we have got to remain positive.

“No-one has stood here and said that this season so far.

“We’re looking forward to Saturday. It will be a long, hard week but we will be ready to go to Stevenage.”