RYAN Ledson believes Oxford United are still a work in progress after a below-par display against Shrewsbury Town.

Stefan Payne’s 83rd-minute equaliser saw the visitors claim a much-deserved point at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.

The striker, who cancelled out Gino van Kessel’s second-half opener for United, should have secured the three points in added time, but skewed wide.

Despite the draw, United have still made a good start in Sky Bet League One, taking seven points from four games.

But after opening the campaign with back-to-back wins, they have failed to hit the heights in their last two matches.

Ledson, though, is confident it will all come together.

He said: “It will take a little bit of time and I think it was the same last year.

“I don’t think we started playing properly, gelling together, until about October.

“It’s a long season, people need to remember that, there’s 46 games, and every point is going to be vital.”

Ledson added: “I’m disappointed, because I know what this team is about.

“I watch these players every day in training and for me we should be winning games of football, especially at the Kassam, in front of our home fans.”

Marvin Johnson dominated the team news, with the winger left out of the squad despite training all week following a hamstring problem.

The 26-year-old has been the subject of transfer speculation, but was expected to be ready to play.

U’s boss Pep Clotet said: “We picked the team we thought was the best one, who were more focused and were the players who worked very hard in the week.

“I’m happy with all the players who are giving everything for this club.”

When asked if he thought the speculation was affecting Johnson, Clotet said: “I don’t know, because I am not in his head.”