Oxford United's players, management and fans felt a massive sense of injustice at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday as their wretched home form continued.

Darlington recorded a 2-0 victory after Simon Johnson escaped a red card for elbowing new signing Andy Burgess - even though the midfielder had already been booked.

Johnson went on to grab the Quakers' second goal in the final minute to inflict on the U's a sixth defeat in their last seven home games.

But the truth is that United just don't look good enough with this set of players.

Hertfordshire ref Grant Hegley made a number of other strange, controversial or simply poor decisions - in complete contrast to Premiership referee Howard Webb's excellent handling of Oxford United's previous game.

Darlington manager Dave Hodgson admitted afterwards he would have had no complaints had his player been dismissed and said: "The referee was the reason we won today."

However, United again produced a dismal second-half display, and Johnson's goal merely rubbed more salt into their wounds.

U's boss Brian Talbot said: "It was an elbow in Burgess's face. There was no question that he used his elbow.

"The referee maybe didn't see it. Nine times out of ten he would have been sent off for that."

Talbot protested on the touchline about the foul, but then walked away because he didn't want to be seen to be trying to influence the ref's decision.

And that honesty maybe helped the Darlington player to get away with a warning.

Talbot said: "I shouted, but I then calmed down because I don't think you should try to get players sent off.

"I was shouting because it was a poor challenge, but as soon as I realised who it was, I walked back down.

"It was a foul because it was an elbow in his face."