ROB Dickie was at a loss to explain how Oxford United have been unable to cut out the simple mistakes which continue to dog their season.

The goals conceded in the 2-1 defeat at Fleetwood Town will not take long to analyse.

Both came from switching off after United only half-cleared set pieces, with the home side getting the telling touch when the ball came back into the danger zone.

Karl Robinson’s side have now conceded 14 goals in their last five Sky Bet League One games.

WATCH: Key moments from Fleetwood v Oxford Utd

Unsurprisingly, they have collected just one point in that time to tumble down the table.

And the exasperation for Dickie is they are being held back by errors which should be straightforward to correct.

He said: “It’s just these silly things that need to be cut out.

“I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that the reasons we’re conceding are so basic.

“It’s not like there’s no hope and we’re useless, it’s a really simple thing in us as a team that should be eradicated and it’s not been yet.”

He added: “We’ve come away from home and it was one of those performances where we felt we were in a good shape.

“If you do that and then someone hits one in from 30 yards it’s a little bit easier to accept than conceding a couple of basic goals.”

“It’s second phase set pieces again that have cost us.”

Dickie admitted there had been plenty of debate in the squad about how it can be put right.

But what is not in doubt is United cannot fulfil their potential unless they become harder to beat.

The centre back said: “We’ve had a couple of open and honest group discussions.

“There’s no doubt about the work ethic in the group and how we all want to be challenging at the other end of the table, which I believe we should be with the squad we have.

“I don’t think our talent is in question, it’s just these basic things that really need to be cut out.”

REPORT: Fleetwood 2, Oxford Utd 1

Robinson described the manner of the goals given away as “inexcusable”, but did feel they were hard done by over the opener.

Shandon Baptiste appeared to be fouled in the build-up, but referee Trevor Kettle saw nothing wrong.

The head coach said: “If he (Kettle) wants to stay consistent with his decision making, then 30 seconds later Jamie Mackie bumps into their guy in a very similar situation in front of me and he gives a free-kick to the opposition.

“I thought his refereeing was inconsistent, but I didn’t expect anything else before the game.”