Danny Rose says Oxford United need to kick the habit of conceding the first goal in games after they again had to come from behind, drawing 1-1 at Hartlepool United.

The visitors fell behind early in the second half to Joe Ironside’s strike, before hitting back to equalise through Danny Hylton.

It was a familiar story for the U’s, who have hit back to take points in their last three league games.

This season they have conceded the first goal 11 times in Sky Bet League Two, while striking the first blow themselves on only eight occasions.

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And Rose is well aware United need to stop giving themselves mountains to climb in games.

He said: “It’s not the best habit.

“The first goal in this league is very importanta.

“It’s proved over the season that when we’ve gone in front more often than not we’ve held on and got the points that our performances have deserved.”

Like everyone in yellow, the midfielder was put under pressure in possession during the first half as Hartlepool worked hard to stop United finding their passing rhythm.

Rose was frustrated they could not find a solution until falling behind.

He said: “Looking back on it we are a bit disappointed that it took for us to concede a goal to really get going and have a tempo to our game.

“They pressed really high and with a good tempo in the first half, so it did make it difficult for us to play the passing game that we really like to do.”

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