Easy does it for U’s suggests Appleton

AN AWAY day in Peterborough was almost too easy for Oxford United’s players, according to Michael Appleton.

The U’s boss was unhappy to see Craig Mackail-Smith score a late consolation for the ten-man home side – who had Leonardo Da Silva Lopes sent off – after Phil Edwards and Conor McAleny had scored either side of half-time.

Appleton said: “It almost became too easy at times. We gave them opportunities they should not have had.

“It took us a long time to get into the game, but for half an hour we created numerous opportunities.

“We are going to be punished if we don’t start taking our opportunities.

“It’s just frustrating that we didn’t manage to keep the clean sheet our goalkeeper’s performance deserved.”

Appleton also defended referee Mark Heywood’s decision to only book McAleny after he had hauled Peterborough defender Jack Baldwin to the ground following a coming together between the players.

“The referee was probably bemused why the lad tried to confront him. He did not get away with it. The referee was a little bit lenient and used some common sense,” he added.

It took 12 matches over nearly six years but Craig MackailSmith finally brought up his century of Posh goals in stoppage time with a low, curling effort.

But that was as good as it got for the hosts, who fell behind when Edwards flicked in Rob Hall’s right-wing corner.

Oxford then sealed their seventh win from eight away league games when Chris Maguire squared to McAleny for an easy finish.

Maguire was later fouled by Da Silva Lopes who received a second yellow card.

Peterborough have now lost nine games out 13, and manager Grant McCann said: “I’ve got a lot of belief in the squad. I’m not going to come out and publicly criticise my players. I have 100 per cent faith in them.

“They have been disappointing from January but we’ve got to stick together now. The best come through tough times and reap the rewards.

“Individual mistakes cost us which is disappointing. I thought we did enough to win with the chances we had.”

McCann also had something to say about Appleton’s comments.

“It’s a ridiculous comment,” he added. “I do not know what he means by easy. I thought for most of it we matched them or were the better team.”