SLUMPING back into the relegation zone was an embarrassment for Oxford United, according to head coach Karl Robinson.

The side’s five-game unbeaten run – four of which had been draws – had lifted them just above the drop zone.

But a lacklustre 1-0 defeat against Peterborough United sent them back into Sky Bet League One’s danger zone with 14 games remaining.

“I’m embarrassed,” Robinson admitted and when the U’s boss was asked to clarify the statement he said: “From where we are in the league.

“We don’t win enough games. The league table is the judgement of you as a manager and a player.”

He added: “What this team doesn’t have a tendency to do is be in a game like this, turn the screw and win 1-0.

“They don’t sniff blood and go for the jugular.

“When there’s an atmosphere in the ground we’re great, but when it’s not, we let games slip away.

“That’s why we’ve drawn too many games this year and it’s why we end up losing here, because we switched off.”

Robinson did feel United were the better team and had a case to feel aggrieved they were not awarded a spot-kick.

He said: “Let’s not forget there’s three blatant penalties – on Gavin Whyte, Marcus Browne and Jerome Sinclair.

“But you can’t blame the referee for his attention to detail when your own house is not in order.”

United finished the game with ten men, with Gavin Whyte forced off through injury after the home side had made their substitutions.

The winger will be assessed today to see if he will be fit to face Accrington Stanley tomorrow night, but the initial diagnosis appeared positive.

Robinson said: “He’s got a bang to the head, but he wasn’t unconscious.”