PHIL Edwards believes Oxford United have to beat Bury tonight if they are to have any chance of staying in the hunt for the Sky Bet League One play-offs.

A hectic March has seen Michael Appleton’s side win just twice in seven games, missing out on the chance to close in on their rivals above.

Millwall and Bristol Rovers lost on Saturday, but the U’s failed to capitalise as they drew 0-0 at Northampton Town.

With only three fixtures in the division tonight, they know the seven-point gap would reduce to four with a victory.

But Edwards knows anything else would realistically rule United out of contention.

“We have to win,” he said.

“We had the chance to gain on Millwall and didn’t take advantage again.

“That seems to be our problem – when other teams falter we falter as well.

“We’ve run out of chances really, so we’ve got to win to stand any chance.

“We don’t want the season to peter out.

“We’re still fighting for it as much as we can.

“At times we make it difficult for ourselves by not winning the games we should.”

Bury, beaten 3-2 by the U’s at Gigg Lane in December, are not yet safe from relegation, but will arrive in good form.

They have lost just once in eight games under Lee Clark, who has converted the Shakers’ leaky defence into a rearguard which has not conceded in four games.

Striker Conor McAleny said: “They’ve got something to play for, so it will be a difficult game.

“It’s up to us to break them down and get the three points, that’s all that matters.”

l RYAN Ledson has been nominated for the Young Player of the Season prize at the EFL Awards next month.

The Oxford United midfielder is up against John Swift (Reading) and Ollie Watkins (Exeter City), with the winner named at a ceremony in London on April 9.