MICHAEL Appleton urged his Oxford United players to return to what had made them successful this season after a “powder puff” performance in losing to Accrington Stanley.

Having gone in at half-time ahead through Kemar Roofe’s 20th goal of the season, the U’s put in their worst spell of the campaign to lose 2-1 against their closest rivals in the Sky Bet League Two play-off pack, who finished with ten men.

United were unusually lacklustre and have now collected just one point from their last four league games at home.

“It can be easy sometimes over-reacting to a defeat, but we need to be bigger and stronger – it was a bit of a powder puff performance,” United’s head coach, said.

“It’s about us getting back to basics and doing what we were doing well in the early part of the season.

“It’s things like making sure we don’t concede from set plays, making sure we stop crosses coming into our box.

“The more you do that (the more) you’ll make sure you try and keep clean sheets, which we obviously haven’t done of late.

“It’s a dead simple message.”

United have to move on quickly, with their hectic schedule continuing away to Exeter City tomorrow night.

They again have a doubt over Roofe, who for the second time in three games had to come off with a tight groin.

Appleton said: “That’s a little bit of a concern and obviously something we have to make a decision on whether he starts the next game or not.

“If he doesn’t, it’s an opportunity for the lads who have been sitting on the bench.”

A second successive defeat prompted questions about United’s search for reinforcements in the loan market.

Appleton thought fresh blood was unlikely before the visit to Devon, but did not rule out something happening before Saturday’s game at AFC Wimbledon.

He said: “I think it would be a bit rushed to do something before Tuesday.

“But thinking towards Saturday and knowing we have another three-game week it may be something we look to do.”